The Dopey Report Card

In which we celebrate Matt Gay's record-breaking day, the Colts' staunch defense, Zack Moss, Michael Pittman and everybody else who contributed to this unlikely victory over Baltimore.

RUN OFFENSE

At the time, the trade of Nyheim Hines to Buffalo for Zack Moss and a conditional sixth-round draft pick seemed like a big nothing of a move. Hines wanted out of Indianapolis and the Colts accommodated him: No big deal. But here we are, three games into a surprisingly strong start by the Colts, and Moss has been an important contributor. After missing the first game while recovering from a broken forearm, Moss has had strong games against Houston and Baltimore, and is saving
Indy’s bacon while Jonathan Taylor stages his hold-in. Moss produced career highs in carries (30) and yards (122) Sunday against the Ravens, and did it in a game when he went down twice with injuries. It was his second career 100-yard rushing game and his sixth straight game with more than 70 yards from scrimmage. He’s no Taylor (who is?) but he’s given the Colts everything they could have hoped thus far. Taylor is scheduled to return against the Titans in two weeks, but…who knows?

GRADE: B

RUN DEFENSE

Lamar Jackson, who has owned the Colts in the past, produced decent numbers, including 101 yards rushing, but by and large, the Colts kept him bottled up – at least by Jackson standards. We’re only three games into the 2023 season, but already, the Colts are showing they have one of the league’s best front 7’s. Zaire Franklin, who said after the game that the Colts have the best linebackers in the league, wasn’t telling any lies. Franklin, a tackling machine, had 15 tackles (11 solo), one tackle for loss and a sack. He became the third Colt to record at least 13 tackles in three straight games (Shaq Leonard 2018 and Mike Peterson in 2000. Another strong game from Kwity Paye, who had three solo tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack, the second time he’s registered a sack in three straight games. He’s coming of age, and not a moment too soon.

GRADE: B+