There's not much that the Indianapolis Colts got right or did right in their opening game of the season. Daniel Jones and the offense failed to kickstart (even though Jonathan Taylor looked outstanding), and the defense failed to stop or even slow down an explosive Baltimore Ravens offense.
The result was a defeat by a large margin. It also showed that neither the Colts nor the coaching staff were fully prepared to take on an opponent like the Ravens, which may spell early trouble against their Week 2 opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts have already made changes this week, most notably on defense.
On offense, it may just be that Jones needs a game or two, or three, to rediscover his footing after recovering from an Achilles tear last season. In any case, the Colts have many areas to improve, but standout tight end Tyler Warren believes one key area, if improved, could make the Colts better on the field.
Tyler Warren points to "missed opportunities" as the Indianapolis Colts' key to success
Warren, coming off a rookie season that exceeded most, if not everyone's, expectations, was part of the Colts offense that struggled last weekend. The talented tight end was barely visible on the field, catching just three balls for 13 yards, but he did grab the Colts' only receiving touchdown.
Much of what plagued the Colts offense wasn't just a lack of punch or aggression, but what Warren believes is key to success and what his team failed at: missed opportunities. During a locker room media session, Warren was asked what the Colts can do better going forward, and he challenged his team to capitalize.
"If you do miss an opportunity in the first quarter, you might not get more chances, and then you end up losing by two points; that's the difference right there," Warren said. "Every opportunity does count, so it's important to capitalize as much as you can."
The Colts' capitalization was not successful on Sunday. After starting strong with an opening-drive touchdown, multiple three-and-outs followed. The offense also struggled to cash in the Red Zone and on third downs, converting only three of 10 attempts, and came up short on a fourth-down attempt that could have kept them moving the football.
Perhaps the Colts could have done nothing to keep up with the 500-plus points the Ravens eventually put up. Still, the Colts had chances to stay in the game and couldn't capitalize. Of course, it wasn't all on the offense, though, as missed opportunities also came on defense.
Namely, failing to account for Zay Flowers in Baltimore's passing game, lapses and blown assignments, and letting modest gains turn into significant yardage gains.
Warren's challenge to capitalize on opportunities is a clear key to winning games, but it's clear the Colts couldn't do it and need to as they move forward. Against the Chiefs, there will be zero room to drop the ball, offensively or defensively.
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