The Indianapolis Colts had a disappointing start to their season and as a result, here are three players that need to redeem themselves in Week 2.
The Indianapolis Colts had another slow start to the season struggling in the first three quarters of their season opener against the Houston Texans. That marks the ninth straight season where the Colts haven’t won in Week 1. At least it wasn’t a loss…cough, cough Titans.
Despite turning things around in the fourth quarter, it was almost too little too late. Indy had multiple chances to win the game but wasn’t able to convert in the end. There were several players to blame in every phase of the game. There were a lot of moving parts this offseason but the Colts had to be better in Week 1. Head coach Frank Reich made it an emphasis by playing his starters deep into the preseason in the hopes they would be ready and come out hot to start the season.
One way to look at this tie is that Indianapolis has things to work on in Week 2. Unfortunately, there are quite a few things. From the top down, the Colts need to improve tenfold before their Week 2 game. Here are three players specifically who need to redeem themselves after their Week 1 performance.
3. WR Alec Pierce
This is one where, although rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce didn’t do anything wrong, he didn’t do anything right either. Outside of Michael Pittman Jr., the rest of the wide receivers struggled to make plays and had a lot of drops. Pierce was targeted twice and dropped both passes and technically had a third drop but a penalty negated that. His most memorable drop came in the end zone when Indy really needed the score. There was tight coverage in the end zone but the Colts really needed Pierce to show something.
Let’s not forget he is a rookie and this was his first real action in the NFL playing against the opposing team’s best defensive unit. Fans will have to wait one more week to see if Pierce is worth the hype. He should rebound as he becomes more comfortable with Matt Ryan and playing against NFL defensive backs and the Colts really need him to.
The rest of the receiving core didn’t fare much better. Ashton Dulin caught three of six targets for 46 yards and had his moment during the comeback in the fourth quarter where Ryan seemed to single in on him. Parris Campbell caught three of four targets for 37 yards for a rather lackluster day. Indianapolis and its fans are expecting big things from Campbell but it just didn’t happen in the season opener.
All-in-all, we could say that the receiving core, excluding Pittman Jr, need to redeem themselves but specifically Pierce who didn’t register a catch. The receiving core is unproven and the front office put a lot of faith in them by not bringing in a veteran during the offseason or training camp. Pierce needs to restore the Colts’ faith in him in Week 2.
2. CB Kenny Moore
If Shaquille Leonard is the number one on this Indianapolis Colts’ defense then Kenny Moore has to be number two or three. He is essentially the reason we play a nickel defense so he can be utilized as the best slot corner in the game. Despite the contract negotiations stalling this offseason, Moore has put in a lot of effort to be a leader on this defense and shine in the secondary after the Colts brought in some help. He was even named a captain for the first time in his career. He definitely didn’t live up to this on Sunday.
On Sunday, Moore was targeted seven times and allowed five receptions. This equated to 63 yards or 12.6 yards per catch. Once the receiver caught the ball he allowed them to run for an average of five yards. He also had two penalties in the opening matchup. He had two total in 2021. The most he has ever gotten in his career is 2020 when he had four. There is a lot of pressure on the secondary to perform this year after Indy brought in Stephon Gilmore, Rodney McLeod, and Brandon Facyson.
For perspective, Gilmore was targeted eight times allowing four receptions for 33 yards or 8.3 per reception. On those four receptions, he allowed seven yards after the catch. He committed no penalties. Mind you this was against a wide receiver core that featured the likes of Brandin Cooks, and Rex Burkhead, and that’s about it.
Moore has to step up in Week 2. The Jaguars have more reputable receivers in Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones, and Zay Jones. They proved they could play in Week 1 losing by a small margin to the Washington Commanders. Trevor Lawerence is arguably a better quarterback than Davis Mills and the Colts, including Moore, made Mills look like a good quarterback. Moore has to redeem himself in Week 2 if we want to see this defense reach its true potential and to see him get the money he believes he deserves.
1. RT Braden Smith
The day before the Indianapolis Colts first game of the season they signed Quenton Nelson to a four-year $80 million contract extension with $60 million guaranteed. This showed their commitment to investing in their offensive line and the players they have drafted. In July of last year, they made a similar commitment to Braden Smith signing a four-year contract extension worth $72 million with $42 million guaranteed. Smith was not a $72 million right tackle in Week 1.
Smith started to show signs last season that he wasn’t worth the money and it happened again to start this season. He was supposed to be an anchor on that side of the line and provide stability and protection for Ryan. Instead, he got smoked by Jerry Hughes allowing him to sack Ryan twice and even intercept one of his passes. On the interception, Smith literally let him break off and snag the ball right as Ryan released it. At times, it seemed like Smith quit on plays before they were actually over and didn’t put forth much effort in the running game.
When you have Nelson on the left side of the line, there is little reason to run the ball anywhere else. Smith has to step up in Week 2 and redeem himself before Colts fans start clamoring more about his poor play. Indianapolis is trying to focus on the opposite side of the line with Matt Pryor and Bernhard Raimann splitting time. Ideally, you sprinkle in some new linemen amid the veterans that anchor this line. Instead, Smith was allowing breaks in protection which caused repercussions along the line with Danny Pinter having to help cover and Ryan Kelly having to fill in for Pinter.
Week 2 isn’t going to be any easier on Smith. In fact, it may be more difficult with Jacksonville’s quicker and younger defensive line. Travon Walker, the Jaguar’s first, first-round pick and number one overall selection, had one sack in his NFL debut to go with four tackles and one pass deflection. Jacksonville took Devin Lloyd with their second, first-round pick, 20th overall, and he led the team in tackles with 11 starting at the left-inside linebacker position. Smith has to redeem himself in Week 2 or it’s going to be a long season with Ryan taking some serious blows.
Colts vs. Jaguars prediction and odds for Week 2
The Indianapolis Colts return to Jacksonville on Sunday to take on the Jaguars in Week 2. Here are the odds and a prediction for the game.