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Stephon Gilmore has been the definition of a big-time player for the Colts

By Jaleel Grandberry

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: Cornerback Stephon Gilmore #5 of the Indianapolis Colts breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the end zone late in the fourth quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 25-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: Cornerback Stephon Gilmore #5 of the Indianapolis Colts breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the end zone late in the fourth quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 25-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Stephon Gilmore made another game-saving play for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and that’s something he’s been doing all year.

On Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders were facing a 4th-and-7, 16 yards away from the end zone. Trailing the Indianapolis Colts, 25-20, with 52 seconds remaining, Vegas needed a first down to keep its chances of winning alive. With the game on the line, Raiders quarterback, Derek Carr, dropped back and threw a fade ball into the end zone intended for Davante Adams. It was a good idea by Las Vegas because when you need big-time plays you should go to your big-time players, and that’s what Adams is. Unfortunately for the Raiders, Adams was being guarded by Stephon Gilmore, the corner that has been the epitome of a big-time player for the Colts this season, and his entire career.

Anyone who has watched Indianapolis play this season can tell you how impactful Gilmore has been for Indy. The veteran corner joined the Colts this offseason as a free agent signing, and it seems like every game Indy wins comes after a huge play by Gilly to seal a victory for the Colts. In Week 3, it was Gilmore shadowing Travis Kelce and making pivotal third-down stops that helped Indy upset the Kansas City Chiefs. It was also the case in Week 5 when Stephon Gilmore recorded an interception in regulation against the Denver Broncos that helped force overtime, and when he followed that up with the game-sealing deflection in overtime.

On Sunday, Gilmore was back at it again, sealing Indy’s fourth win of the season with a clutch deflection in the end zone against one of the NFL’s best wide receivers.

Stephon Gilmore continues to come up clutch for Colts

Following Sunday’s game, Gilmore said that he lives for those moments when he’s being challenged with the game on the line. DeForest Buckner added that’s the reason Indianapolis brought Gilly to the Colts, “for those key plays and key situations, and he shows up every time.” Surely, detractors will say well what about in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders.

That’s the game where Washington’s receiver, Terry McLaurin, was able to make a huge snag over Gilmore at the one-yard line, setting the Commanders up for the game-winning touchdown that they punched in a play later. Sure, if you want, you can hold on to that play as the one time Gilmore didn’t come through for the Colts but to be honest, that play had more to do with the inability of the defensive line to get after the quarterback than it did with Gilmore coming up short.

Additionally, as Marshawn Lynch famously said, “I know I’m going to get got, but I’m going to get mine more than I get got, though.” That applies to anyone that is good at something. No matter how great you are, if you do anything long enough, you’ll occasionally find yourself on the unfortunate side of things. Luckily for Stephon Gilmore and the Colts, when Gilmore has been targeted in the clutch, he has been getting his far more than he’s been getting got.

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