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Week 10 Game Recap: Indianapolis Colts 21, San Diego Chargers 23
What you need to know
| Indianapolis Colts |
Peyton Manning started the game off pressing the action, and was actually picked off four times in the first 16 minutes. He eventually got back on track though, and finished with 328 passing yards on 34 of 56 attempts with two touchdowns. Shorthanded by the loss of Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark, Anthony Gonzalez, and his two starting offensive tackles Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem, Manning lead the Colts back from a 23 point deficit in the fourth quarter to within two points. He had a chance to tie the game at 23, but the Colts elected to hand off to Joseph Addai for the two point conversion, rather than go through the air, and he was stuffed for a loss. Manning later led the team down the field to setup a 29 yard Adam Vinatieri chip shot with 1:31 remaining that would have put the Colts up by one, but it was surprisingly missed by the normally sure footed kicker to leave the game 23-21.
Joseph Addai was the primary ball carrier in this one, taking the ball 22 times for 56 yards, while gaining another 16 yards on three receptions. The Chargers defense did not provide much room to run, as he had six carries of zero or negative yards. One positive though, was how even though the Colts trailed for the entire game, Addai remained a key part of the offense as ineffective as he was. Kenton Keith spelled Addai a handful of times throughout the game, and even caught a seven yard TD pass, but his four carries for 19 yards clearly shows that Addai is the primary ball carrier.
Though not having Marvin Harrison is negatively affecting Peyton Manning and the Colts, it's having a positive result on Reggie Wayne's numbers. Wayne pulled down ten receptions for 140 yards and a score, while being targeted 18 times. He also drew a long defensive pass interference penalty in the first quarter down the deep left sideline. Most impressive is how the Chargers knew Wayne was going to see the ball plenty with so many Colts offensive weapons on the shelf, but still had no answer for him even though they were double and triple teaming him throughout.
| San Diego Chargers |
Philip Rivers did not complete a pass until late in the 1st quarter, but somehow still found himself with a 16-0 lead at that point. He finished the game with 104 yards passing with no scores and two interceptions in what was a lackluster performance by the starting quarterback. Though the Chargers got up early and seemed content sitting on the lead with a healthy dose of LaDainian Tomlinson, Rivers did not attempt much even in the intermediate range. It was obvious that he and the Chargers were playing not to lose, rather than taking a team out while it was down.
Continuing with the trend of unimpressive play, late in the fourth quarter in the rain, Rivers dropped back to pass in his own endzone and the ball slipped out of his hand as he went to release forward. After a poor attempt at knocking the ball out the back of the endzone, the Colts recovered the fumble and were a failed two point conversation attempt short of tying the game at that point. As noted, it was raining from the start of the game, and the ball appeared slippery. But even when the Colts needed Rivers to sustain a drive and take time off the clock, he was unable to mount any kind of offensive attack. Perhaps it was the Colts cover two that threw him off, or the situation he was put in with a huge lead, but either way Rivers put up a weak effort in a nationally televised game.
Darren Sproles was really the story of this one, at least in the first half. Though he never once lined up in the offensive backfield, he made more of a game impact than both LaDainian Tomlinson and super backup Michael Turner combined. On the first play of the game, Sproles took an Adam Vinatieri kickoff up the middle for an 89 yard touchdown. Two drives later, Sproles took a short Hunter Smith punt down the right sideline for a 45 yard touchdown. He was virtually untouched on both returns, and really took the pressure off of the Chargers offense to really do much of anything.
LaDainian Tomlinson carried the ball 21 times for 76 yards and a five yard score, while also catching four passes for 21 yards on five targets. With the Chargers nursing a large lead in the first half, the gameplan was to put the ball in Tomlinson's hands and hope for the best. Disappointingly he never managed to break many larger gains outside of one for 16 yards in the first quarter. Michael Turner only received one touch in the game, and it was nullified by a penalty. While he did have a target on a short dump off, it was dropped. Had the Chargers been able to sustain many drives, Tomlinson's workload would have undoubtedly been heavier, but it was surprising that they didn't try going to Turner at some point since it wasn't really working well with Tomlinson in there. Unlike in years past, Tomlinson was going to be the horse until the end.
What you ought to know
| QB Peyton Manning, Pass: 34 - 56 - 328 - 2 TD / 6 INT |
Peyton Manning completed 34 of 56 passes for 328 yards two touchdowns and a surprising six interceptions. Without two of his three favorite targets in Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark, Manning appeared to start the game out tense forcing balls into tight coverage, and putting a little too much on his own shoulders rather than letting things come to him. The Chargers capitalized, picking him off four times in the first half of the game. Eventually Manning got into more of a groove, finding some chemistry with backup tight end Bryan Fletcher, as well as the always reliable Reggie Wayne. With the Chargers up as much as 23-0 in the first half, the Colts running game became less of an option, though it was fairly ineffective even when they did go to it. To top it off, the Colts starting offensive tackles Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem were both unavailable due to injury, forcing backups into the game in a make-shift line. Despite pretty strong play from those backups, the odds were against him leading a comeback. The Colts had a chance to take the lead with 1:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Adam Vinatieri missed a 29 yard field goal wide right, essentially allowing the Chargers to run out the clock. There was a last ditch effort with mere seconds on the clock, but Manning ended the game with his sixth and final interception on a desperation pass.
| RB Joseph Addai, Rush: 22 - 56 - 0, Rec: 3 - 16 - 0 (3 targets) |
Addai carried the ball 22 times for 56 yards, while catching all three of his targets for 16 yards. The Chargers went up big early in this game, and the field conditions were wet, which doesn't make for a big game recipe out of a shifty ball carrier like Addai. He had two separate carries of ten yards in the game, but otherwise only had room for a few yards at a time. Encouraging was that the Colts played from behind throughout, though Addai remained involved in the game with 25 total touches. Kenton Keith spelled Addai on a few occasions, as well as at the goalline on a third down, but at no point did it appear there was a timeshare occurring.
| RB Kenton Keith, Rush: 4 - 19 - 0, Rec: 1 - 7 - 1 (1 targets) |
Kenton Keith carried the ball four times for 19 yards, spelling Addai occasionally throughout the game. On Keith's lone target of the day, he took a short pass from Manning and took it in for a seven yard touchdown to make it 23-14. He remains import as Addai's backup, but does not appear to be on the cusp of a timeshare with the second year starter.
| WR Reggie Wayne, Rec: 10 - 140 - 1 (18 targets) |
Playing without teammate Marvin Harrison for the fourth straight game, Reggie Wayne was able to produce, catching ten passes for 140 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets. Even though the Chargers knew Manning was going to be looking his way often, Wayne found numerous creases over the middle for nice gains, three of which went for 20 yards or greater. In the first quarter Wayne also drew a long defensive pass interference penalty on a deep pass down the left sideline.
| WR Craphonso Thorpe, Rec: 5 - 41 - 0 (10 targets) |
Craphonso Thorpe entered the game in three receiver sets, but worked his way into more playing time as the game went on. Though he only accounted for 41 yards on five catches, he was targeted ten times in this game apparently earning some of Manning's trust with a few tough catches in traffic. If Marvin Harrison and Anthony Gonzalez continue to miss time, he could become a larger part of the receiver rotation. He also returned punts and kickoffs in the game.
| WR Aaron Moorehead, Rec: 4 - 39 - 0 (10 targets) |
Aaron Moorehead started this game for an injured Marvin Harrison, and caught four passes for 39 yards on ten Peyton Manning targets. His biggest play of the game came on a 4th and two where Manning found him to the right side, and he had to go up for a jumping catch and a first down on a 12 yard gain. He had a fairly disappointing effort otherwise, especially considering he's been in the Colts system for five years, and was probably outplayed by the practice squad player Craphonso Thorpe. Late in the fourth quarter with the Colts driving, Manning found him streaking down the right sideline near the end zone, but Moorehead allowed the ball to slip through his fingers in what would have been a game changing play.
| WR Marvin Harrison |
Marvin Harrison was inactive for this, his fourth game in a row, with a left knee injury.
| TE Bryan Fletcher, Rec: 8 - 55 - 0 (12 targets) |
Bryan Fletcher was inserted in the lineup for an injured Dallas Clark in two tight end formations and had a nice game catching eight passes for 55 yards on 12 targets. Nothing was deeper than five or ten yards down the field, but Fletcher showed a knack for working over the middle, accounting for five first downs himself. He was also the recipient of the Colts successful two point conversation in the fourth quarter. Generally he would not be much of a receiving threat, though with the numerous Colts weapons out for this game, he showed he could make the tough catch if called upon.
| TE Ben Utecht, Rec: 3 - 30 - 0 (4 targets) |
Ben Utecht had an opportunity to shine with Dallas Clark inactive for this game, but was actually outplayed by backup Bryan Fletcher. Utecht caught three passes for 30 yards on four targets, but Manning appeared to favor Fletcher, though Utecht known as more of a pass receiver was likely receiving more attention.
| TE Dallas Clark |
Dallas Clark was inactive for this game with a concussion.
| PK Adam Vinatieri 0 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points |
This was a nightmare game for Adam Vinatieri. After Peyton Manning drove the field late in the secondquarter, with no timeouts the kicking team raced out to attempt a fieldgoal with the time ticking down. They got the snap off with two seconds left, and from 42 yards the normally sure footed Vinatieri missed wide left pretty badly, leaving the score at 23-7 to end the half. Late in the fourth quarter with the Colts deep in the Chargers end, the Colts got well within range to finally take the lead with 1:31 remaining. Vinatieri lined up to attempt what was a near "gimme" from 29 yards out, but barely missed wide right, essentially ending the game. The Colts did get the ball back deep in their own end with 22 seconds remaining, but the game should have been won about a minute earlier.
| IND Rush Defense |
The Colts allowed 91 rushing yards on 24 carries to the Chargers, for an average of 3.8 yards per carry. Needless to say LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the most talented players in the league, and this was a strong effort by this unit in a game where the Chargers were simply trying to sit on their huge lead from the start. Tomlinson broke one carry for 16 yards, but otherwise was limited to a few yards on most of his carries.
| IND Pass Defense |
Though the Chargers had little intention of passing the ball too often with a 23 point lead in the first half, the Colts almost completely shut down the Chargers passing game, especially deep. When Philip Rivers did drop back to pass, he had very little time as Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were generally disruptive throughout, although they only actually got to Rivers with a sack once. They did force two interceptions though, both of which by backup Clint Sessions, who was filling in for an injured Freddie Keiaho. Antonio Gates was a non factor, as the Colts did not allow any of the Chargers receivers to get open deep.
| QB Philip Rivers, Pass: 13 - 24 - 104 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0 |
Rivers completed 13 of 24 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He struggled to stretch the field against the Colts cover two scheme not attempting one pass over 20 yards, and did not look confident in the pocket with pressure in his face. At one point the Chargers had a 23-0 lead mid way through the second quarter, but the Colts were able to stack the box and keep the Chargers from moving the ball, since the air attack was no threat, eventually allowing them back into the game. Near the beginning of the fourth quarter with the Colts having just scored to close it to a 23-14 deficit, Rivers dropped back to pass deep in his own end, and as he went to throw the ball it slipped out of his hand as the pressure approached. It had been raining off and for most of the game. Laying on the ground Rivers made a last effort to punch the ball out of the back of the endzone, but Colts linebacker Gary Brackett was able to pounce on the fumble for a touchdown, closing the gap to 23-21. Handed such a large lead early, it was concerning that Rivers couldn't get anything going in this game.
| RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Rush: 21 - 76 - 1, Rec: 4 - 21 - 0 (5 targets) |
Tomlinson carried the ball 21 times for 76 yards, with a five yard touchdown in the second quarter. He caught four of his five targets for 21 yards. With the Chargers jumping out to such a large lead early, Tomlinson was leaned on often, though did not find a lot of room to run. Philip Rivers could not provide a threat through the air, so the Colts were able to stack the box and limit Tomlinson's effectiveness. Had the Chargers been able to move the ball with any regularity, he likely would have seen even more touches in this game.
| RB Darren Sproles |
Though Darren Sproles did not play an offensive down, he certainly made his mark on this game. Sproles took the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown. Later in the 1st quarter on a short Hunter Smith punt from deep in the Colts zone, Sproles returned the ball 45 yards for another touchdown, putting the Chargers up 17-0 with six minutes still remaining. He went virtually untouched on both long runs.
| RB Michael Turner (1 targets) |
Michael Turner did not receive a carry until the third quarter, where he got stacked up through the middle for a zero yard gain. Though that play was nullified by an offensive holding penalty, and he did not receive another touch in the game. Turner received one Philip Rivers target on a short dump off that hit him right in the hands, but he dropped the ball. It certainly wasn't one of Turner's strongest efforts as he rarely made it into this game even though the Chargers game plan was to run the ball with regularity while sitting on a big lead.
| WR Chris Chambers, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (3 targets) |
Chris Chambers caught two passes for 17 yards, on three targets. Though a dynamic deep threat, Philip Rivers did not look deep, rendering Chambers impact on the game as minimal. He started from the onset and was reported as developing a chemistry with Rivers and his other teammates, however that never came across throughout the game.
| WR Vincent Jackson, Rec: 2 - 28 - 0 (3 targets) |
Vincent Jackson caught two passes for 28 yards, one of which went for 19 yards over the middle and was the Chargers longest offensive play of the game. He had three targets on the evening, but none of the Chargers receivers were a big part of the gameplan once they jumped out to such a large lead. He was targeted on Rivers' first interception of the game.
| WR Legedu Naanee, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (3 targets) |
Naanee, starting the game in a three receiver set, caught two passes for 12 yards on three targets. He did not see the field often with Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers both locked into the lineup in most formations, but did earn first downs on both of his receptions.
| TE Antonio Gates, Rec: 3 - 26 - 0 (6 targets) |
As usual Antonio Gates was the primary receiving option for Philip Rivers, though was only targeted six times in this game. He finished with three receptions for 26 yards, all three going for first downs. Rivers looked to Gates at crucial points of the game, but never any deeper than short or intermediate passes, mostly over the middle. With the Colts gaining some momentum in the fourth quarter, Gates was targeted on a short pass over the middle which he dropped, but the ball was tipped up in the air and intercepted by Clint Session.
| PK Nate Kaeding 1 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points |
Kaeding was one for one in field goal attempts, hitting from 33 yards out. He hit on both of his point after attempts, though did not have a chance for a third when punter and holder Mike Scifres dropped the ball when going to spot it.
| SD Rush Defense |
The Chargers allowed 75 total rushing yards on 26 attempts for an average of 2.9 yards per carry to the Colts. Joseph Addai had two carries of ten yards a piece, but otherwise was bottled up consistently on the day. With the Chargers jumping out to a large lead, the Colts running game was less of a factor with Manning going to the air often. It rained off and on for the entire game, and though it did not appear to be overly sloppy, numerous players were losing footing, undoubtedly affecting the success of a shifty running back like Joseph Addai.
| SD Pass Defense |
The bad: Peyton Manning completed 34 of 56 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, and that with limited offensive options at his disposal. The good: the Chargers pass rush was causing good pressure for the entire game, sacking Manning twice with numerous pressures, while picking him off an amazing six times. Antonio Cromartie had an outstanding first half of football picking Peyton Manning off three times himself, one of which came on an unbelievable one handed grab. It certainly wasn't a dominant effort by this unit, but undoubtedly opportunistic.
