The Indianapolis Colts had an up-and-down performance in Week 5, but they got the job done. With Marcus Mariota leaving the field early with an ankle injury, the defense kept the team in the game, and the running game kept the chains moving.
The offensive line struggled early on, Daniel Jones made some questionable decisions, and even Sauce Gardner got burned a couple of times by a third-string rookie making his debut. But hey, a win is a win, and the final score read 30-13.
As much as there's to work on, the Colts are returning home with a .500 record. Moreover, it wasn't all bad. While this was definitely an ugly watch, these six players kept the momentum going for Shane Steichen's team.
Indianapolis Colts players who stood out in the win over the Commanders
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adetomiwa Adebawore continues to blossom right before our eyes. He's wreaking havoc in the interior of the line, and he was crucial in stopping Mariota on his final drive of the game, combining with Laiatu Latu to sack him on third down.
He may not be the most popular defensive player on the team, but after piling up 2.5 sacks in the past couple of games, he's making a strong case for being one of the team's defensive MVPs. He's ending drives on his own.
DeForest Buckner
DeForest Buckner picked up things right where he left off last week. The former first-round pick continues to show that age is just a number for some of the greatest players ever, stuffing the run and keeping the quarterback in hell.
While Buckner finished the game with a couple of tackles and two assists, his impact went way beyond that. He just piled up his 100th career tackle for loss, and continues to be as unblockable as he was on day one.
Laquon Treadwell
With Alec Pierce and Keenan Allen out, plus Darius Slayton just getting a hold of the offense, the Colts turned to veteran Laquon Treadwell in this one, especially in the second half. He had some big grabs in Jones' worst performance of the season.
While he'll never be a burner who'll impress with his speed, Treadwell is a reliable pass catcher who just gets the job done. He deserved more opportunities after playing the second-most snaps among Colts wide receivers, and he led the team with 42 yards on five receptions.
Laiatu Latu
Laiatu Latu's slow start to the season is officially a thing of the past. The Colts' leading pass rusher had his best game yet, collapsing the pocket and combining with Adebawore for the sack that cost Mariota the rest of the game.
Latu finished the game with one tackle, two assists, and a half-sack, but as usually happens with players like him, the impact didn't show up on the stat sheet. He kept Athan Kaliakmanis on his toes on every dropback.
Jaylon Carlies
The Colts desperately needed some momentum and a big play after an ugly start to the game. Then, early on in the second half, they got just that from Jaylon Carlies, who tipped the ball to himself for an interception.
Carlies has always looked like a player on the verge of a breakout, and he showed the athleticism that made him so intriguing a couple of years ago. He finished the game with five total tackles and that pick.
Jonathan Taylor
The Colts were facing one of the toughest run defenses in pro football, but Jonathan Taylor is inevitable. Even though he hasn't been as explosive this season, he'll continue to get the job done if the Colts feed him.
This time, the future Hall of Famer turned 20 carries into 95 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also had one reception for two years and scored two rushing touchdowns, keeping the offense ahead of the sticks when Daniel Jones couldn't.
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