The Indianapolis Colts (2-1) were able to earn their second victory of the 2023 season against the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) by a score of 22-19 on Sunday afternoon.
Overall, it was a big win for the Colts, who were underdogs entering this game. The Colts were able to hold on and won on a walk-off field goal to seal the win in overtime.
Buy Colts TicketsHere are some studs and duds from the game:
STUD: K Matt Gay
When the Indianapolis Colts signed kicker, Matt Gay, to a four-year deal worth $22.5 million with $10 million guaranteed at signing, it was expected that Indianapolis had solved their kicking woes.
It would appear so far that Indianapolis’ investment has paid major dividends so far. Gay is perfect on field goals in 2023 and was able to connect on all five of his field goal attempts.
Gay also made history after making four field goals over 50 yards, including the game-winner in overtime.
Gay has been everything that Indianapolis could’ve hoped for and more so far and was a major reason for the victory
DUD: Run defense
It was a tough day for the Indianapolis Colts’ run defense as Baltimore rushed for 182 yards on the ground.
Granted, 101 of those rushing yards came from Jackson, who did the majority of his damage on the ground.
Take Jackson’s rushing yards out of the game, Baltimore was able to rush for four yards per carry. While that’s not terrible, it definitely could’ve been better for the defense.
Indianapolis will look to get back to form next week against the Rams and the immobile Matthew Stafford.
STUD: WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Michael Pittman Jr. had a strong performance for the Colts against the Ravens.
Pittman took full advantage of Baltimore’s beaten-up secondary and finished with nine catches for 77 yards.
Pittman potentially made the best catch of his young career in overtime as he absorbed a big hit and held on for a 34-yard gain in overtime.
Pittman is having a nice bounce-back season and continues to make a case for a contract extension in a contract year.
DUD: QB Gardner Minshew
While Minshew’s performance wasn’t terrible, there were definitely some issues in this game.
Minshew had multiple moments in this game where he failed to identify Ravens’ safety Kyle Hamilton on blitzes as he had three sacks in the game.
Minshew also had moments where he lacked situational awareness and held on to the ball too long. One of those instances occurred when he ran out of the end zone for a safety.
Minshew was serviceable, and he made some big throws when it counted, but one has to wonder how much he held the Colts’ offense back in this game.
This game definitely makes Anthony Richardson’s return from his concussion that much more anticipated.
STUD: RB Zack Moss
Another week, another strong game from running back, Zack Moss.
Moss was able to follow up his strong return last week with an even better performance against Baltimore. Moss rushed for 121 yards on 30 carries and also added two catches for 23 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Moss was consistently a go-to player for the Indianapolis offense and continues to impress as the team’s top runner.
It will be interesting to see what Moss’ role will be if/when Jonathan Taylor returns in a few weeks.
