After a crushing loss to the Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts entered Week 6 as heavy favorites to take down the winless Tennessee Titans. Instead of cruising to an easy victory, the Colts suffered their most pathetic loss of the season, and quarterback Daniel Jones shoulders the blame.
Jones delivered a solid turnover-free performance last week in Pittsburgh, even in defeat, and the hope was that he would continue to improve. Instead, Jones reverted to bad habits and floundered against a very beatable opponent.
The Colts just needed Jones to be average, and they would have won this game with ease. Jones couldn't even do that. It might finally be time for Indianapolis to hit the panic button.
Daniel Jones’ Week 6 disasters reveals the harsh reality for the Indianapolis Colts
Takeaway No. 1: Daniel Jones is the worst QB in the AFC South
During the first half of last season, when Jones was firing on all cylinders, the Colts could realistically claim that they had an advantage within their division at the most important position in football. Now, the tables have turned in the AFC South.
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Houston’s C.J. Stroud are miles ahead of Jones. And even Tennessee’s struggling sophomore Cam Ward has closed the gap. Between those four QBs this season, Jones has the lowest completion rate, the lowest passer rating, and the most turnovers, while also being the oldest and second-most expensive.
Takeaway No. 2: Daniel Jones is not improving at all
Jones' defenders might point to his recovery from a devastating Achilles injury as a reason for his slow start. That would be fair if Jones were at least improving week after week, especially when playing one of the worst teams in the league.
We have seen virtually no improvement from Jones six games into the year. His accuracy, decision-making, and arm talent are bigger question marks than ever.
In Week 6, Jones finished the loss to the Titans with a season-low completion rate, two more interceptions, and his second-worst passer rating of the year. Remember — 36-year-old journeyman Geno Smith had significantly better numbers against the same team earlier this season.
Takeaway No. 3: Daniel Jones is not a game-winner
There’s always been a debate around whether Jones is a game-manager or a game-winner — the type of QB who can just keep a team afloat or take over games by themselves. Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard gambled $88 million that Jones was the latter. Fast forward to Week 6, and that bet looks like a massive mistake.
Jones was unable to make the winning plays the Colts needed in Week 6, and his poor play actually sabotaged the team’s chances. Before Sunday, Indianapolis hadn’t lost to Tennessee in six straight games.
That streak included wins from Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, and Joe Flacco; it ended with Jones. Unfortunately, Jones’ current contract is double the size of what Indianapolis paid those other three QBs combined.
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