The Dopey Report Card: Colts vs. Rams

The good news: The Colts could have, should have beaten a good Rams team. The bad news: They didn't.

RUN OFFENSE

Another day, another nice performance by Jonathan Taylor, who had 17 carries for 76 yards and five receptions for 20 yards. It was his ninth consecutive game with more than 95 scrimmage yards, tying him for the longest active streak in the league. His growth as a three-down back has been notable. The Colts came out throwing the ball, so Taylor wasn’t a big factor early. But he’s got ridiculous yards-per-carry numbers for second halves this year, and he broke several tackles on a 53-yard touchdown run that put the Colts ahead except...a holding penalty on AD Mitchell brought it all back.

Grade: C+

RUN DEFENSE

The Rams’ Kyren Williams ripped off some nice early runs, but after that, the Colts did a good job keeping things under control. The Rams finished with 102 yards rushing on 26 carries. Massive game from Nick Cross, who had a team-high 14 tackles (six solo) and half a sack. DeForest Buckner continued to play at a Pro Bowl level with eight tackles (four solo) and two tackles for loss. Newcomer Mekhi Blackmon had five tackles.

Grade: B

PASS OFFENSE

If you’re a cynic like me, you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the real Daniel Jones to show up, the one who got run out of New York (well, he was granted his release, but you get the idea). Now, I know he threw two picks -- the final one was a semi-desperate, hero-ball heave with the Colts fighting the clock and the score in the final minutes -- but I thought he played well enough to win. This is who Daniel Jones is now. He’s developed a great relationship with Shane Steichen and is operating the offense masterfully. If Mitchell carries the ball all the way into the end zone, if Mitchell doesn’t hold on Taylor’s would-be touchdown run, that’s 34 points scored, right on their average. Michael Pittman Jr. recorded his third touchdown pass in four games. Good to see him getting off to a fine start this season. Called last year, an injury-plagued season, the worst year of his football life. Have to mention, a really rough day for left tackle Bernhard Raimann.

Grade: C

PASS DEFENSE

I felt like Laiatu Latu had his first real breakout game. He’s been popping on film the first three games, but didn’t get his first sack until Sunday. I would expect more to come. On the other hand, when is Kwity Paye a first-round draft choice, going to start playing like a top pick? I rarely if ever notice him in the pass rush. Meanwhile, the Colts have a Xavien Howard problem at cornerback. All the injuries in the secondary forced the Colts to sign Howard and he hasn’t held up well. The Rams, like the Broncos before them, ate him alive. Puka Nacua had a career game, 13 catches for 170 yards. Given the way the game was unfolding, I kept wondering why defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo wasn’t switching Charvarius Ward from Davante Adams to Nacua? I’m sure he’ll be asked to explain that decision Tuesday when coordinators meet with the media. Oh, and we should mention again the Colts got beat on the game-winning pass to Tutu Atwell with just 10 players on the field. After a change of possession. How does that happen? Somebody, from coaches to players or both, was asleep at the wheel.

Grade: D

SPECIAL TEAMS

Nice of the Colts to let Rigo Sanchez do his job. On a day when the Colts had more three-and-outs than they’d had the previous three games combined, Sanchez punted four times for a 52.3 average and included a seeing-eye punt that pinned the Rams back on their own 4-yard line. Never mind that LA then went on a 96-yard touchdown drive. Spencer Shrader showed his leg with a 52-yard field goal, his career-high. Probably would have been good from more than 60. Anthony Gould gave the Colts a jolt when he returned the opening kickoff 38 yards. Nice day for the kick and punt-return teams.

Grade: B

COACHING

Early this season, Lou Anarumo was the toast of the town, the anti-Gus Bradley, the Colts looking good the first three games. Tomorrow, he’ll have a bunch of tough questions to answer. He’ll be asked about the Howard-Nacua matchup and why he didn’t move Ward over to the shifty Rams receiver. He’ll be asked how it was possible that only 10 Colts lined up on the play when Matt Stafford his Atwell for the game-winning touchdown. After a change of possession. Oy.

Grade: C-

INTANGIBLES

I came away from that game feeling like the Colts and Jones are very much for real. They had the Rams on the ropes and then gave them new life. You give Stafford any time in the fourth quarter, he’s going to beat you. It never should have come to that. Eleven penalties, two turnovers, and, of course, the Mitchell screw ups. Just not going to get it done on the road against a good team.

Grade: D