This Colts team is torturous to watch. The Los Angeles Chargers have secured their first playoff appearance in four seasons and Justin Herbert’s first as an NFL quarterback as they destroyed the Colts 20-3.
This game was just as uncompetitive as the 20-3 score line says.
I was a big supporter of the Jeff Saturday hire, and I still am in many ways, but it is clear that even a charismatic, confident guy like Saturday was never going to turn this Colts roster around. These players have completely lost all faith in the team, the organization, the systems, their teammates, and even in themselves. And it shows on every down.
Once again, the Colts offense looked horrible as not even the Eagles legend Nick Foles could spark some life into this unit. Throwing 17/29 for 143 yards, 0 TDs, and 3 INTs, Foles was practically playing psuedo defensive back for the Chargers with his three turnovers.
Though, it’s not like he was getting any help from his running backs or receiver as the combined running back core of Zach Moss (12 CAR, 65 yards) and Jonathan Wilkins (1 CAR, 4 yards) rushed 13 times for 69 yards, while Jelani Woods, the leading receiver on the night, had just 3 catches for 43 yards.
The Chargers defense, which came into the game with numerous injuries and lost Derwin James (3 tackles, 1 PD) to an ejection early on, didn’t even have to play that well to rack up 58 tackles, 7 sacks, 7 TFL, 5 PD, and 9 QB hits as the Colts offensive line has proven that it is the worst unit in all of football. I mean, you know your offensive line is bad when Khalil Mack (2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit), who has had one of his worst seasons in years, got his first sack in 8 games against you and your quarterback.
Players like Quetin Nelson (2018- 6th overall pick), Ryan Kelly (2016-18th overall pick), and Braden Smith (2018-37th overall pick), all players selected in the first two rounds of the draft, should be ashamed of themselves for how bad they’ve been.
How do you not pick up one First Down on ten attempts?!? That’s right, the Colts went 0/10 on 3rd down attempts, and 1/4 on 4th down, easily being one of the worst efficiency performances by an offense in the league this year.
Obviously, this offense needs a major rehaul, which is something owner Jim Irsay should have done the moment Andrew Luck retired instead of wasting time by bringing in stopgap QBs.
As for the Chargers offense, they didn’t play that great either.
Justin Herbert had a very pedestrian game by his standards as he completed 24/31 passes for just 235 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 INT, while it was actually Keenan Allen (11 REC, 104 yards) and Austin Ekheler (18 CAR, 67 yards, 2 TDs) who took control of the game for LA. Even though the Colts offense is one of the worst in football, their defense showed some life and fight as they came after the Chargers offense and kept them to only 14 points.
Led by DeForest Buckner (5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit), Bobby Okereke (9 tackles), Dayo Odeyingho (3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits), and Rodney Thomas II (6 tackles, 2 PD), the Colts defense stifled the Colts running game to a comparatively speaking (to the rest of the Colts season) low 101 rushing yards and 213 passing yards with 79 tackles, 4 sacks, 5 TFL, 2 PD, and 7 QB hits. If the Colts weren’t such an atrocious team, defensive coaches would be very proud with their players if they had similar stats.
Unfortunately, those numbers are wasted on a poor team. If I was one of the defensive players I mentioned, I’d ask to be traded out of Indianapolis (4-10-1) immediately. These guys still have talent and clearly the dedication to the sport to continue to perform under the most difficult and draining of circumstances, which is more than can be said for a number of the NFL players today.
Nevertheless, this win officially booked the first playoff appearance for the LA Chargers (9-6) in four years and Justin Herbert as an NFL QB. Personally, I don’t see them getting out of the Wild Card round as if the playoffs started today, they would face off against the Bengals and Joe Burrow in Cincinatti.
But the NFL playoffs are unpredictable, and anything can happen as we’ve seen this season.
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