The Indianapolis Colts narrowly avoided an upset on Sunday, outlasting the visiting Arizona Cardinals 31-27 to maintain their pristine home record this season. The game proved to be a true test of strength and wit for both teams, allowing each side to learn a considerable amount about where they stand now that the regular season is in full swing.
For Indianapolis, the drama began well before kickoff. Backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. suffered from a freak accident involving an elastic band in warmups that caused an orbital eye fracture. Also in pregame warmups, standout cornerback Charvarius Ward collided with a teammate and was concussed.
The Colts undoubtedly faced adversity in the minutes preceding the beginning of the game, as they plunged into battle with a hungry Cardinals team led by former Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Notably, the Cardinals were coming off a ridiculous multiple touchdown fourth quarter collapse against Tennessee the week prior.
Arizona put forth a much more impressive effort in Indianapolis, despite playing without starting quarterback Kyler Murray. Brissett completed 27 of 44 passes against a depleted Colts pass defense for 320 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Trey McBride caught eight of those passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Carter and Zonovan Wright each ran for 34 yards off of nine and 11 carries respectively. Wright also punched in a touchdown.
The Cardinals offense took advantage of a weakened and injured Colts secondary, as it incrementally traversed the field primarily through shallow passes and quick throws to avoid oncoming pressure.
Colts linebacker Joe Bachie was placed on the injured reserve earlier in the week, joining Jaylon Jones, Justin Walley and Hunter Wohler, all of whom are notable defensive backs. Veteran star Kenny Moore II also continues to miss time at the cornerback position, and the startling loss of Ward left the pass coverage crew in shambles.
The result was a 300+ yard passing day for the Cardinals as Brissett operated the offense with a veteran level of composure and awareness while his receivers continued to create separation.
The Cardinals also had success in the margins, showcased by their conversion of nine of their 14 third downs. The Cardinals incrementally worked their way down the field and were successful on third down, which is a recipe for success against a weakened Colts defense.
The Cardinals scored 27 points and were in position to steal a victory on the road in the final minutes. The effort set forth by Arizona, especially considering the circumstances, is undoubtedly impressive and worthy of praise.
The only true strength of the Colts defense proved to be the pass rush, which applied significant pressure to the quarterback. The Colts hit Brissett 12 times, sacked him twice and racked up six tackles for loss. The pass rush produced just enough pressure to counteract Arizona’s explosive plays through air.
On offense, the Colts couldn’t get out of their own way at various points in the game. On their final possession of the first half with a field goal well within the realm of possibility, Daniel Jones overthrew Michael Pittman Jr. on a pass attempt that would have put the Colts in field goal range had it been successful. That drive resulted in zero points, as did one ended by an egregious Jones interception.
Jones fielded questions about that interception after the game.
“I thought I could get it over (the linebacker) to Mo (Alie-Cox) on that play… I’ll go back and look at it and make sure I’m taking care of the ball,” Jones said.
Overcoming those setbacks, the Colts scored 31 points and saw the offense kick into high gear in the fourth quarter, where they scored a touchdown on each of their meaningful drives. Jones completed 22 of 30 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Tyler Warren caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Jonathon Taylor accrued 123 yards and a touchdown off of 21 total carries.
Despite its periodic uncharacteristic mistakes, the Indianapolis offense maintained its identity as an astoundingly efficient unit in which each position group complements the strengths of the others. Arizona restrained Colts receivers from creating the separation they had found against previous opposing defenses, causing problems for Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s group. The home team prevailed, nonetheless, surging ahead and to victory with a commanding fourth quarter performance.
Steichen was pleased with his team’s display of effort, and said so in his press conference after the game.
“I just liked the way our guys came out and found a way to finish it there at the end,” Steichen said.
Arizona lost its fourth consecutive game, but has much to be proud of on the flight home from Indianapolis. The Cardinals return to Glendale to take on the 3-1-1 Green Bay Packers in what will be another difficult test as Arizona’s bye week looms. That game will take place at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.
The Colts have been triumphant in every one of their home games so far this season, but will travel back to Los Angeles next week, where they took their lone loss of the season. On Sunday at 4:05 p.m. the Colts will face the 4-2 Chargers.
Overcoming adversity and outlasting a respectable Arizona Cardinals team, the Indianapolis Colts allow their fans to breathe a sigh of relief following a tricky week six matchup inside Lucas Oil Stadium. A lofty challenge awaits a battered and bruised Colts team as the return to Los Angeles nears, but for now, Indianapolis can revel in victory for a fifth time in six weeks.
