Hits And Misses: Ashton Dulin Shines In Return
Source: Michael Hickey / Getty
1. Hit: Ashton Dulin
Ashton Dulin: How about Ashton Dulin doing more Ashton Dulin things? The return of Dulin in Week 17 was huge as he had kick returns of 53 and 55 yards spark two of the three Colts scoring drives. And Dulin also made a couple of plays as a gunner on punt coverage. Simply, Dulin is one of the best special teams players in the NFL, something Jaguars head coach Liam Coen mentioned on Monday.
2. Hit: Timely Defense
Timely Defense: In a game in which the Colts were nearly doubled up in yardage, they lost by one score. How is that possible? Well, 3 times the Jaguars got into FG/scoring range and they scored 0 points off those drives, thanks a dropped hook and ladder, a Germaine Pratt interception in the end zone and a key 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak stuff. That was some timely playmaking from the Colts defense, and it was really needed on a day in which the yardage was a big discrepancy.
3. Miss: Dinosaur Offense
Dinosaur Offense: With Philip Rivers getting his 3rd straight start, the Colts offense was back to being an archaic unit with the inability to provide any potency in the pass or run game. The Colts averaged 3.7 yards per play (the 3rd smallest number in the Shane Steichen era). Getting Alec Pierce involved was again a struggle. And Jonathan Taylor has now gone 5 full games since having a carry of longer than 15 yards.
4. Miss: Outside Wide Receivers
Outside Wide Receivers: It was a combined 2 catches for 16 yards on 8 targets for Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. Among the offensive limitations right now, the Colts have struggled to get their outside receivers going. That’s not too surprising given a 44-year-old Philip Rivers having struggles in throwing the ball outside the numbers/down the field.
