The dust has settled on the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 12 performance against the Lions, and Pro Football Focus has handed out their individual grades.
So which Colts defenders received the highest-marks from Sunday’s game?
But before we dive into that, I always feel the need to point out that PFF’s grading system is only one metric when it comes to evaluating a player’s performance and should be treated as such. It is not the be-all-end-all. However, generally speaking, if a player performs well, the grade reflects that.
Below is a look at PFF’s grading system to provide some context behind the numbers:
90.0+: Elite
80-89.9: High quality
70-79.9: Good
60-69.9: Above average
50-59.9: Average
40-49.9: Below average
39.9 or less: Poor
To see which Colts players on offense received the highest grades, click here.
DE Laiatu Latu
PFF grade: 86.7
Latu continues to pick up steam each week. Against the Lions, he would lead the team in pressures with five and that was also the fourth-most among defensive ends in Week 11. Latu also recorded a sack and two tackles in the run game.
DT Grover Stewart
PFF grade: 82.9
Stewart finished the game with one pressure and four tackles in the run game, three of which were considered stops–or plays that constitute a loss for the offense, as PFF defines it. Those three run stops were tied for the third-most among defensive tackles in Week 12.
DE Kwity Paye
PFF grade: 71.7
Paye was solid across the board in this game by PFF’s metrics. He recorded two pressures, was in on four tackles without missing any, and forced two run stops while receiving a run defense grade of 72.1. Paye has been playing some of his best football of the season over the last month.
Honorable Mentions
DE Dayo Odeyingbo: 71.7
S Nick Cross: 69.3
DT DeForest Buckner: 67.9
