The Indianapolis Colts came into their week nine matchup against the Green Bay Packers needing a win to save their season. The Colts came into the game with a record of 3-5, and the Packers came in with a record of 4-3. A win would put the Colts tied for second place in the AFC South. And the Packers needed a win to keep pace with the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. The Colts got a big victory that came down to the last two minutes by a score of 31-26. Now let’s take a look at the Indianapolis Colts week nine takeaways.
Indianapolis Colts Week Nine Takeaways
Great Things Happen When Other Players Step Up
Running back Jordan Todman had an enormous impact on the game yesterday. He returned the opening kick off for a touchdown. Todman also took back his next return past the 50 yard line to give the Colts great field position. If not for him, the game could have gone a very different way. For the first time this season, the Colts had more sacks than the opposing team. That included a big sack from linebacker Lavar Edwards that stalled the Packers on a key drive in the first half. If players keep stepping up like they did in this game, the Colts fortunes could continue to turn for the better this season.
Andrew Luck Needs to Minimize the Turnovers
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck had an inconsistent game against the Packers. He had more interceptions than touchdowns. However, he was clutch when he had to be. Luck’s one passing touchdown was to receiver Donte Moncrief at the end of the first half. Furthermore, he also had two clutch third down conversions on the final drive of the game to seal the victory. It helped that he was only sacked two times. Considering he has been sacked more than 30 times this season, only getting sacked twice is a good accomplishment. Luck also had 281 passing yards, with 23 completions on 36 attempts. A more efficient game from Luck in week 11 against the Tennessee Titans will be needed.
The Colts Can Win Close Games
The Colts have played in multiple close games this season. Up until their week eight loss at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, 30-14, every Colts game had come down to the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. This game had the makings of another thriller. After Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a three yard touchdown pass to receiver Randall Cobb that cut the Colts lead to 31-26, Indy fans had to be nervous. Yet, the Colts were able to come up with enough clutch conversions to run out the clock. With the AFC South being so tightly contested, the ability to win close games will be important for the Colts to make a run to the playoffs.
Up Next
The Colts have their bye week in week ten. They will face the Titans in week 11, at Lucas Oil Stadium. A win could bring the Colts within one game of the division leader Houston Texans, and would give them sole possession of second place in the AFC South.
