The Colts' Defense, 2018

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles

o



(vs. JETS, 10/14)



The defense has not played as well in their last 2 games as they had in their first 4 games of the season.


However ........ the Jets scored 20 points off of 4 Colts turnovers, and another 3 off of a 5th turnover on downs (the Colts had no choice but to go for it on 4th down while deep in their own territory, because they were down by 12 points with less than 6 minutes left to play in the game.)

That's 23 out of the 42 points that they scored overall.


Even taking that consideration, I have seen a modest drop-off by the defense at-large since the 4th game. That wasn't overly concerning in regard to the game against Tom Brady and the Patriots, but it IS concerning in regard to the game against Matt Darnold and the Lets.


o

o


There was one specific defensive play in which I was particularly impressed with.


With under 10 minutes left to play in the 4th quarter and the Colts trailing by a score of 33-27, the Jets had a 3rd down and 2 yards to go at the Colts' 27 yard-line. A 1st down would have allowed the Jets to eat another 2 minutes off of the clock, AND it would have opened up the possibility of the Jets scoring a touchdown instead of the field goal which they got. In the open field, Anthony Walker SIMULTANEOUSLY stopped Sam Darnold from running for the 1st down, AND he knocked the pass down when Darnold tried to throw for it.


The Jets subsequently kicked a field goal on the next play ........ Walker's play kept the Colts' deficit at a reasonable 9 points (36-27), and also preserved time on the clock for the Colts' chances for a comeback.


o