Bowen: Butler Takes Matters Into His Own Hands, Forces Three Turnovers
Three games, one turnover. Indianapolis had a grand total of 3 turnovers on the season, in eight games ... worse than Kansas City (and every Colts fan just got depressed). Anyway, Darius Butler, not ever on their roster earlier in the season, decided enough was enough - according to Kevin Bowen, Butler's example lead the defense to their best game of the season.
“It’s frustrating playing, doing the right things and not getting the ball,” Butler said. “We knew we just had to stay the course, do our fundamentals and techniques and they would start coming. Today they came.”
With Mathis out (and therefore, Freeney), the Colts had four sacks. Remember the bust, Jerry Hughes? He's had two sacks in their last three games. Jerrell Freeman has been their best defender this season, amassing 73 tackles, a sack, and a pick through nine games. So, if at the start of the season, I told you Indy's best defender would be a former CFL standout, their backup OLB would be second on the team for sacks, and that Darius Butler would be winning games for them by week 9 ...
Alternately, at 6-3, they're alone in third in the AFC; with a Houston loss (plausible, this week), they could be a single game out in the division. More importantly, if they can manage to beat the Patriots in Foxborough, will anyone doubt this team?
I would agree with Matt -
I love that they're winning, but this should have been a 45-10 game. The offense sputtered too many times. The defense just cannot get off of the field, allowing 7-10 yard catches over and over and over. Had MJD been there, it might have been a different story - especially if the Jags screened to him.
I'm worried that the Pats will destroy this team. Maybe not, with Mathis back in, etc. But these guys are not yet playoff caliber, in my opinion.
I did love the announcers gushing over Luck. I'm sure if they were doing this about Brady, I'd be throwing up in my throat the whole game.
Also, three key dropped passes right in the defenders hands. Bad bad bad.
Happy but worried in Sanford FL
@buymymonkey The Colts went into Jacksonville really banged up; no Fleener, Avery playing sore, ditto with Brown. They only had three of their usual five O-line - you could really tell. With a ten day rest, they should have Matthis back, Freeney rested, the secondary back ... and their issues on offense should be fixed.
I agree - it should have been a bigger blowout - but given that the Colts were able to execute a road win on four days of rest, I think they can be effective against New England. The rookies haven't operated on short weeks before; yesterday, Indy started quite a few on offense.I just hope their injuries heal, and they can fight the Pats at full strength next week.
Happy w/the production, obviously; and always trying to look at the glass at half full ... but by no means am I sold on this defense ... the way they were playing last night, the Jags could make a DII defense look good.
And someone needs to tell Cassius Vaughn to stop with the arm swinging celebration nonsense. Especially considering that most, if not all, of his stops were due to (a) poor QB throws or (b) WRs falling down.
