Quick thoughts
 

I've never started one of these. If it doesn't come out right, I may not do another.

1. The Bears D is good, but we should have scored more. The OLine should try to go away from zone blocking down there and let the hosses impose their will.

2. TY was open quite a bit. Those who wrote him off were wrong. He lost a TD to DPI, and a huge catch on a horrible pass by Rivers.

3. What was with Hines getting so many snaps over Taylor? Maybe it was pass blocking, but why run him up the middle? He is elusive, but small Get him in open space. Frank knows better.

4. Specs can kick. The first one barely went through, but it went through. He isn't prime AV, but he is better than last year AV.

5. Justin Houston still can dominate a game. Yes, the rest have to be able to do their job so they can't double him, but he beats his man one on one.

6. The secondary looked very good. There were a couple of blown plays, but they were much improved from week 1.

7. Rivers needs to find a way to not let his lack of speed be a detriment to the team. We will see more good defenses get pressure and he can't outrun a sloth

8. I don't know why Marcus Johnson was ever cut. He is no WR1 or WR2, but he can play.

9. What can we say about Blackmon? The dude is the baller we all thought Hooker was going to be. In fact, I think all of the rookies who played yesterday did well. I also loved seeing Okereke in on a lot of tackles for very little gain. The defensive scouts hit home runs the last three drafts.

10. Sanchez can punt with anyone. He may be the factor in changing momentum in an important game later in the season.

11. It was ugly, but a win is a win!

Next week will be a true test for this D. Cleveland is by far the #1 rushing team in the NFL. If the D can shut them down, there's no telling how far they can go this year.

I heard that Costanzo was replaced late in the game. Was he hurt?

I think they were trying to be cute with personnel groupings and that’s why Hines had so many carries.

They came out with three tight ends, 1 WO, and 1 RB quite a bit and Hines in that package probably works better than Taylor because his receiving skills enable more options.

I think Hines and Burton are “tweeners” and can create difficult looks for defenses. Chicago has a formidable front 7, at least Indianapolis moved the ball and got field goals. Sometimes that’s how you gotta get the W.

TY isn’t going to have 100-150 yard games consistently—that’s where some fans will always overrate what he does. I hope he has 3 to 5 meaningful catches per game, regardless of yardage. The problem I’ve always had with him is that he disappears too often to count on him like a #1. Having other receivers who can’t stay on the field compounds that problem.

I personally didn't see this as an ugly game.

There were 11 bears possessions
- seven punts
- a FG
- a pick
- end of half TFL
- TD in (arguable) garbage time

So we are another week in the top 5 of NFL defenses, at least. In the past we have needed Peyton to have a average game, or Luck to have a good game in order to win.

We are not asking Philip Rivers to do that. Just don't turn the ball over. Get some first downs and let the rest follow.

I know that Cleveland still has RB Kareem Hunt on its roster - but they won't have their 1-2 punch available against the Colts. Nick Chubb is out for 6 weeks.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1313150087317643269

Baldy gives some break downs and some props to the Colts defense.

https://twitter.com/baldynfl/status/...468756999?s=21

I think it was a good team win. Some games are going to be like this. They lost their premier defensive player (Leonard) and still won.

I think back to the 06 playoffs and I know everyone thinks about the win in the AFC Title game, but that divisional round against Baltimore was arguably one of the toughest wins I've ever seen Indianapolis obtain.

Sometimes that's what it takes. I like what I saw yesterday.

Yes, Castonzo injured a rib in the Bears game.

The Colts will monitor him through the week.

Colts have several LB's nursing injuries. Besides the Leonard injury, Bobby Okereke injured his thumb and had surgery today AND EJ Speed injured his elbow.

The Colts haven't ruled anyone out for the Cleveland game, but it is worth monitoring their practice schedule through the week.