The Indianapolis Colts should have had some expectations heading into Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys. One was that the offense should have had success, as it was facing a putrid Dallas defense that was last in many categories, including against the run.
That should have meant a bunch of Jonathan Taylor and, to a lesser degree, Seth McGowan. It didn't in a 27-23 loss to Dallas. Head coach Shane Steichen wanted to be cute and have quarterback Daniel Jones throw more. That included even in 3rd-and-short situations. Maybe Steichen just wanted to improve Jones' trade value.
Of course, he wasn't. The head coach/true offensive coordinator just seems a bit in between as a play-caller and game-planner. It's fine. He will be gone soon.
Takeaways from the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys in Week 9
The defense seemingly had real promise until it didn't
Maybe the season has been a work in progress defensively, and maybe the young players should have all been playing early, such as CJ Allen, but things appear to be trending up. The Cowboys weren't struggling offensively this season, but were losing games because of their defense.
Lou Anarumo and his guys made Dallas look bad offensively early. The pressure on Dak Prescott was constant, and the tackling was sound. That was due to the speed and energy of rookies such as Allen, Bryce Boettcher, and Caden Curry. Jaylahn Tuimoloau was pretty good, too.
That didn't last, though, and the statistics at the end of the game were brutal. The Cowboys averaged 7.2 yards per play (and would have been higher except for penalties by Dallas) and 5.3 yards per rush. Those are losing numbers all the way around.
Adetomiwa Adebawore was a good extension
Amid the trades of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, the team signed Adebawore to an extension. He has proven to be better in run defense this season, but his real value still lies in pass rush. He was a menace for much of the game against Dallas, with multiple pressures.
The team cannot overcome the loss of Buckner as he is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, but Adebawore is going to be a huge help in the future, more than 32-year-old Buckner would have been.
Sauce Gardner was the trade that shouldn't have happened
Gardner overall has been quite good, and the defensive deficiencies haven't been his fault, but the team still gave up two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to get him. Way too much.
With Indy leading 23-20 with under two minutes left, Gardner allowed a long completion on a drive when the Cowboys had to score points. It was an inexcusable play for a rookie, let alone a cornerback as highly regarded as Gardner. Ultimately, it was a game-losing play.
The team obviously doesn't trust Daniel Jones
Did Jones play better than Anthony Richardson would have? Maybe, but likely only because head coach Shane Steichen wouldn't have used Richardson correctly. He doesn't even use Jones correctly.
The quarterback isn't asked to throw deep often and is more often asked to throw passes behind the line of scrimmage. Is he injured or suddenly lacking arm strength? Allowing him to throw long at least loosens up the defense. Indy scored 23 points, but only had 279 total yards. 166 yards of that was passing. Ridiculous.
Surely, Shane Steichen can't keep his job after this season, right?
The Indianapolis Colts are a soft team mentally, and that tone is set by their head coach. The fight is sometimes lacking, but maybe that is how the team thinks it should play. The players haven't given up, but the coaching staff doesn't know how to make them better.
Steichen is 7-25 against teams with a .500 record or better. Good coaches don't have that kind of record. Steichen is not a good coach.
Add us as a preferred source on Google