lex-ington wrote:Atlanta @ Indy - My upset pick of the week.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap;_ylt= ... 0111106011 Michael Marot, Associated Press wrote: The Colts’ collapse keeps getting worse.
Before fleeing Lucas Oil Stadium in the second half, fans serenaded Colts players with boos after watching Indianapolis go nearly 30 minutes between first downs. By the end of the game, at least 80 percent of the stadium was empty.
“We really feel the last two games we hurt ourselves,” quarterback Curtis Painter(notes) said after throwing for only 98 yards. “I think we need to clean things up, play a little bit better, starting with myself.”
Right now, the Colts (0-9) don’t even look competitive. They’ve been outscored 75-14 in the first half of the last three games and 120-24 overall. Indy has lost five straight home games for the first time since 2001 and is on the cusp of falling to 0-10 for the first time since 1997. This was the Colts’ worst defeat at home since a 31-3 loss to Seattle on Sept. 14, 1997, the year before quarterback Peyton Manning arrived.
And things aren’t improving.
Manning still hasn’t practiced since having neck surgery Sept. 8, and now the Colts could be without their top two tight ends. Dallas Clark (lower leg) and Brody Eldridge (hand) both left the game early. Coach Jim Caldwell provided no updates after the game.
Rookie running back Delone Carter was yanked after fumbling on the second play of the game and didn’t return until the second half. Painter was pulled in the fourth quarter after completing 13 of 27 passes with one interception.
Defensively, the Colts were abysmal, too. “I haven’t had nightmares like that in a long time,” Caldwell said when asked if he ever dreamed the Colts could go 0-9. “It’s not something that you anticipate is going to happen.” “We just aren’t performing well right now,” he added.
lex-ington wrote:I keep thinking... Indy really need to focus on picking up some good defensive players in the draft next year.
JustAnEngineer wrote:
I don't think they need a QB right now. maybe in 2-3 years. What they NEED right now is a defense that can stop a running game...
It looks to me like they'll draft Luck #1 overall and trade Manning to the Seahawks or Redskins (assuming that he can pass a physical before he's due a huge bonus in March).
Michael Marot, Associated Press wrote: Rookie receiver Julio Jones touched the ball five times Sunday and scored twice against Indianapolis’ porous pass defense, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 31-7 victory over the NFL’s only winless team. Jones, who was coming back from an injured left hamstring, burned the Indy secondary on TD catches of 50 and 80 yards.
“It gives us another good player, another good option to have the football in his hands,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan(notes) said. “He’s a good player, and we’re certainly better when we have him.” Jones finished with three catches for a season-high 131 yards and had two carries for 33 yards, one of which set up a late field goal.
Jones was terrific.
He beat triple coverage for the 50-yarder, making a great adjustment on the ball at the goal line. Initially, the pass was ruled incomplete, but coach Mike Smith won a replay challenge, giving the Falcons a 14-0 lead. “I knew I had caught it,” Jones said. “I knew my hands were up under the ball. I didn’t bobble it or nothing.”
On Atlanta’s next possession, Jones ran across the field, catching a 10-yard pass near the left hash mark, then outran the Indy defense for an 80-yard score to make it 21-0 less than three minutes into the second quarter.
Of course I had Julio Jones on the bench on my fantasy team.