Lions at Colts: 3 things we learned
The Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts combined for 74 points in a wild affair at Lucas Oil Stadium. Here are three takeaways from that contest.
When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, we have come to expect not to have expectations when it comes to their defense.
That was certainly the case on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. But the Detroit Lions didn’t show much when it came to that side of the football either, and the result was a wild 39-35 shootout in favor of Jim Caldwell and company. It’s safe to say that the win had to be sweet for the man who guided this franchise for three seasons and an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV.
In this affair, the clubs combined for 74 points, 53 first downs and 898 yards of total offense, with the Colts outgaining their guests by a mere two yards (450-448).
So what did we learn from this contest? Besides the fact that both teams need to go back to the drawing board on defense?
1. Matthew Stafford looks very comfortable
You will recall that during the Lions’ 6-2 second half of a year ago that quarterback Matthew Stafford was blistering hot. He would throw 19 touchdown passes while being picked off only twice. He threw for at least two scores in each of his final six outings.
Make that seven straight games with multiple scores through the air. Stafford finished Sunday with 340 yards through the air and three more touchdown passes, all to underneath receivers in tight end Eric Ebron and running backs Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.
But here is a remarkable number. Stafford was actually credited with 37 targets against the Colts and connected on 31 passes. All six of his incompletions came when throwing in the direction of wide receiver Marvin Jones, meaning he didn’t miss when it came to the other seven players he threw the ball to.
2. Andrew Luck still needs a running game
Doesn’t every quarterback? The answer is indeed yes.
Be it by choice or the fact that the team had fallen behind by 18 points in the second quarter, the Colts managed only 82 yards rushing on 19 carries. We realize that adds up to a respectable 4.3 yards per attempt, but it’s worth noting that the team’s longest run of the afternoon was 11 yards, courtesy of Andrew Luck.
Last season, only three teams in the league gained fewer yards on the ground than the Colts. Veteran Frank Gore is now in his 12th season and second with Indianapolis, and he ran for 59 yards on 14 carries against Detroit. And speaking of the Lions, who finished dead last in the NFL in rushing in 2015, they managed 116 yards on 24 attempts in Sunday’s win.
Where there’s a will…
3. The Colts don’t miss Coby Fleener
It’s hard to do any kind of comparison in regards to the 2015 Indianapolis offense, which saw the team go through multiple quarterbacks.
What we do know is that quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Coby Fleener were teammates at Stanford and then for four years with the Colts. Last season, the latter totaled 54 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns.
With Fleener leaving for New Orleans via free agency, it remained to be seen who would pick up the slack. The team still employed Dwayne Allen and now we know the other option is Jack Doyle, who caught three passes for 35 yards and two scores in the four-point loss.
must read: NFL Epic Season Preview
Meanwhile, Allen not only added four receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown but also scored on two-point conversion toss from Luck. The Colts are not hurting for pass-catchers once again, especially at this vital position.