The Colts moved to 2-2 on the season with a 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. As always, we put a bow on Week 4 as we analyze the game based on the pre-game analysis.
Had A Plan To Slow Down TJ Watt
Shane Steichen said the number one priority coming into the week was having a plan to keep TJ Watt in check. They did more than that, they eliminated his impact. An absolute masterpiece from the offensive line and the plan they used on him. They used an assortment of “chip blocks” from the tight ends on that side of the line. Tight end Drew Ogletree was the main blocker they used to help Braden Smith, and it worked. TJ Watt finished with just 2 tackles on the day and was non-existent on the pass rush.
Built On Defensive Momentum From Week 3
The pre-game discussion was about building on the growing defensive momentum after week three. The first half was a solid performance that yielded only 3 points, and the second half was a different story. The Colts defense was far from 100 percent as they dealt with some injuries coming in, but the pass rush gave another solid performance. The secondary wasn’t great the whole game, but it got the job done in the end with some timely forced turnovers. Jaylon Jones closed out the game with an incompletion down the field to George Pickens after a bad snap with Justin Fields a couple of plays earlier.
Anthony Richardson Had To Be Better
The early abdominal/hip injury to Anthony Richardson did not allow our pre-game prediction to come to fruition. While it appears that Richardson has dodged a major injury the prognosis is not known yet. The always coy Shane Steichen gave us nothing about his status for next week. Joe Flacco came on in relief for the first time this season and he did what we expected him to do.
Flacco was proficient from the first play and was terrific on third down. He converted multiple huge 3rd and long conversions that were crucial drive-extending throws. He had a great connection with Josh Downs throughout the game including finding him on a 3rd down TD reception in the red zone.
If Richardson is healthy, he will, without question, return to the lineup. I have made my thoughts abundantly clear on this. Richardson will not improve sitting on the bench. This week’s task won’t be any easier regardless of who is under center. The Colts go on the road in Jacksonville where the franchise has not won since 2014.
More from The Blue Stable:
FILM ROOM: How Josh Downs has transformed the entire Colts passing attack
Joe Flacco Steps In To Deliver A Crucial Early Season Win Over Pittsburgh
