The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) kept their playoff chances alive for Week 18 after beating the Las Vegas Raiders (7-9).
Despite the feeling the Colts had control of this game throughout all four quarters, they allowed the Raiders to be within an arm’s distance in a game that came down to the final minute. The offense got off to a great start with a touchdown on the opening drive but stalled with three straight punts until they scored their second touchdown of the game with 3:53 left in the second quarter.
Even though Indy was able to score on all three drives (excluding the kneel-down to end the game) in the second half, the inability to punch the ball in the end zone and settle for field goals allowed Las Vegas to hang in. The Colts defense was mostly a bend-but-don’t-break effort in this contest. The lack of pressure on Aidan O’Connell in the second half allowed him to play catch with his receivers.
He was able to guide them on a touchdown drive in the final two minutes to make it a 23-20 game, but the Raiders failed to recover the onside to help seal the victory for the Colts. This secures Shane Steichen a winning record in his first season with the franchise and sets up a playoff opportunity next week against the Houston Texans. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see that contest as one of the two Week 18 Saturday games.
Before taking a look at the regular-season finale, here are five takeaways from the Week 17 win:
1
Rushing attack finishes strong
With last week’s disappointing performance from the rushing attack in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons, it looked like the Las Vegas defense would keep Jonathan Taylor and the backfield in check in the first half.
It started like it was going to be a day for JT. On the opening drive, he had five carries for 25 yards, which featured three straight runs from the Las Vegas 20-yard line to find the endzone for the game’s first touchdown.
Jonathan Taylor gets the first touchdown of the game for the #Coltspic.twitter.com/AhXGz91Hzx
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) December 31, 2023
Despite that success, Shane Steichen went with six straight passes that led to two three-and-outs on back-to-back drives. The Raiders did a better job at slowing down Taylor to end the second quarter by keeping the rushing lanes tight.
By halftime, JT was averaging 3.8 YPC. It was a different story for the backfield in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter. When the Colts took over with 13:14 in the fourth quarter, Steichen went with seven straight runs to get in field goal position.
The drive was sparked by a 27-yard run by Trey Sermon, the longest of his career.
🗣️ RTDB
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/z6WwdoJqDT
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 31, 2023
The Indy backfield combined for 131 rushing yards, averaging 4.85 YPC. As far as Taylor, he turned that 3.8 YPC at halftime into 4.6 YPC to finish the game with 96 rushing yards.
It was disappointing to see JT on the sideline on the final scoring drive, he needed four yards for his first 100-yard rushing game this season. He still finished with 104 total yards and a touchdown.
Indianapolis needs this second-half performance from the ground game in next week’s matchup with the Houston Texans.
2
Strong start but slow finish for defensive front
On a day where the Indy defense needed their front four to get early and often pressure on Aidan O’Connell because of the youth in the secondary, it looked like it was going to be their game.
The first-half effort was led by DeForest Buckner. By halftime, he had three QB hits and his sack helped derail a Las Vegas drive where they were looking to get some points before halftime.
Cleaning up in the backfield. 🧹
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/P7PAWA05on
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 31, 2023
Buckner was responsible for half of the sacks and QB hits by the end of the second quarter. As a whole, the Colts had two sacks and six QB hits entering halftime.
It was an opposite second half for the front four. Throughout the final two quarters, O’Connell had plenty of time to sit in the pocket to allow his receivers to find a hole in the secondary.
The little to no pressure allowed him to deliver the ball with ease to his open receivers which led to two 75-yard touchdown drives for the Raiders. Indianapolis failed to register a sack or a QB hit in the final two quarters.
Gus Bradley will have to work on getting consistent production from his defensive front in Week 18 with the playoffs on the line.
3
Solid day for Gardner Minshew
The Colts didn’t win this game because of Gardner Minshew but at least he wasn’t the reason for losing it. Minshew had one of those games where he mostly took what was given but also made some crucial throws that influenced the outcome of the game.
But most importantly, he didn’t put the ball in danger and finished the game without a turnover.
His first crucial completion came on the opening drive of the game. On a third-and-five, he extended the play and connected with Josh Downs for a 50-yard gain that helped set up the first touchdown of the game.
50 yards to Josh Downs!#Colts#ForTheShoe#Raiders#LVvsIND pic.twitter.com/L3j6WwNVRR
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) December 31, 2023
The only glaring mistake of the day by Minshew came on the second drive of the game when he completely missed a wide-open Alec Pierce that would have been a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive.
Matt Ryan pointing out this wild miss from Minshew… man…#Colts#ForTheShoe#Raiders#LVvsIND pic.twitter.com/SpH40IuFEk
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) December 31, 2023
Minshew would make up for that miss later in the second quarter. On a third-and-1 at their 42-yard line, Shane Steichen dialed up a play-action shot play and he delivered the throw with pressure in his face to hit for a Pierce 58-yard touchdown.
This view of the Gardner Minshew to Alec Pierce 58-yard touchdown is pretty sweet.pic.twitter.com/gJkrQzsQ2n
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) December 31, 2023
That was the longest reception of Pierce’s career. The last crucial completion for Minshew came on the offense’s first drive of the second half after the Raiders made it a 14-10 game.
On a fourth-and-two, Minshew was under pressure from Maxx Crosby but was still able to get the ball to Michael Pittman Jr. for a 20-yard game. That led to three points for the Colts, if they don’t convert that then this game could’ve gone to overtime.
One other underlying nice play from Minshew came on the final scoring drive. On a third-and-eight, he was able to draw the defense offsides and recognized it so he threw it deep to Pittman Jr., who drew a defensive pass interference call, which put the offense at the Las Vegas 36-yard line.
Minshew finished the game 15/23 for 224 yards and a touchdown. The safe and efficient play sprinkled with some magic is what the Colts need out of Minshew next week against Houston.
4
Couldn't slow down Davante Adams
With Josh Jacobs out of the lineup, it was clear that the Colts couldn’t allow Davante Adams to take over this matchup. While Adams didn’t dominate this contest, he certainly did everything he could to help lead his team to victory.
Gus Bradley’s defense did a nice job of keeping him in check in the first half. Through the first two quarters, Adams had five receptions for 43 yards on eight targets. Based just on the targets and the eye test, he was Aidan O’Connell’s just-throw-the-ball-to-him guy when everything breaks down.
Knowing this, you would think Bradley would have his secondary key on Adams but with the defensive front struggling to get pressure on the quarterback in the second half, Adams started to eat and create chunk plays for the offense.
He had four catches for 10+ yards throughout the final two quarters, of which two came on the second touchdown drive that made it a 23-20 game. His two touchdowns came on money downs.
The first one was on a third-and-goal from the four-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN DAVANTE ADAMS!!!!#LVvsIND | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/x8jgsflarf
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 31, 2023
The second one was on fourth-and-goal at the one-yard line to give his team a chance at the onside kick.
THAT'S TWO ON THE DAY FOR TAE!!!#LVvsIND | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/2ROaQFR1lb
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 31, 2023
Adams finished the game with 13 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 21!!! targets.
With all that being said, JuJu Brents had some nice reps against Adams with sticky coverage. He set a new career-high in pass defenses (three), with one against Adams on third down to force a field goal in the second half.
For Gus Bradley’s secondary, he has Nico Collins next week as C.J. Stroud’s go-to guy. He isn’t as talented as Adams but he’s emerged as a threat in Houston’s passing attack and finished with 146 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first meeting earlier this season.
5
Starting offensive line delivers
The Colts finally got a game where they finished with the starting offensive line intact despite a scare for Ryan Kelly, who was reported as questionable with an ankle injury coming out of halftime but was able to be in the lineup on the offense’s first drive of the third quarter.
It might have taken a half for the group to get their cohesiveness back but the starting five deserves some credit for delivering. As I mentioned, they did a better job at opening up lanes for the backs to help close out the game in the fourth quarter.
Not only did they help the rushing attack in the second half, but the pass protection was stellar throughout the game. Braden Smith along with some chips at times did a great job at limiting Maxx Crosby’s impact.
Outside of the second drive of the game when Crosby got pressure on Gardner Minshew to push him into a third-down sack to force a three-and-out. It was a relatively quiet afternoon for the star pass rusher who finished with six tackles (three solo), a TFL, and a QB hit.
It should be noted that Crosby almost made a game-changing play when he punched the ball out of Jonathan Taylor’s hands that would’ve prevented a field goal if Michael Pittman Jr. hadn’t recovered it.
After that sack, the Indy offensive line did a great job at giving their quarterback time for the rest of the contest. They didn’t allow another sack and gave up just two QB hits to end the game.
Shane Steichen will need his offensive line to stack this performance up with a dominant effort in Week 18.
