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llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllll (MID-SEASON EVALUATION)
What we know: ) They compete. The Colts aren't contenders, but they've managed to stay relevant in the AFC despite underperforming on defense and being plagued with injuries to top performers such as QB Anthony Richardson, RB Jonathan Taylor and DT DeForest Buckner. They have been in every game, and their three losses have come by an average of 3.7 points.
What we don't know yet: ) There's still no clarity on the long-term prospects of Richardson, who was benched Tuesday in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Richardson has started just 10 games but now faces at an uncertain future after performing more unevenly this season than in his four starts in 2023. The Colts' 2025 QB outlook is now murkier than ever.
Stat that defined the 1st half of the season: ) The Colts rank 12th in points allowed (21.3) despite ranking 29th in opponent yards per game. That has allowed the Colts to hang on even when their defense is seemingly struggling to stop opponents. The Colts have found ways to get late stops or produce timely turnovers that have loomed large.
Biggest injury concern: ) Jonathan Taylor has made significant progress with his right ankle injury, but his difficulties with that same ankle date back to the 2022 season and seem to have become a recurring issue.
Stephen Holder
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...critical-stats
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