Indianapolis Colts 31, Green Bay Packers 26
Here are the highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Colts' Week 9 road win over the Packers.
Quarterback grade: Aaron Rodgers, 68.7
Slow start dooms Packers' offense
Aaron Rodgers made plays as the game progressed, but struggled to find consistency passing with accuracy. Rodgers dropped back to pass 52 times, completing 26 of 44 passes for 297 yards, with two drops and four passes thrown away. Rodgers faced pressure on 12 of his dropbacks, and was two of five on attempted passes while under pressure for 14 yards; he was sacked three times and threw two passes away. Rogers did not have success connecting on deeper passes, as he was one for eight for 26 yards on passes over 20 yards. Rodgers played at his best down the stretch, but a sluggish start for the Packers' offense early was to much to overcome.
Top offensive grades:
T Bryan Bulaga, 83.5
C Corey Linsley, 80.1
T David Bakhtiari, 79.3
TE Richard Rogers, 75.6
G T.J. Lang, 75.2
Packers' offensive line plays well in losing effort
The Packers' offensive line gave Rodgers ample time to throw the ball downfield, and three lineman were the top-graded performers versus the Colts. Packers WR Jordy Nelson also found some success against the Colts' secondary, as he was targeted 13 times and caught all seven catchable passes thrown his way for 94 yards. TE Richard Rodgers was targeted nine times, catching all six catchable passes thrown his way for 64 yards on shorter- and intermediate-depth routes.
Top defensive grades:
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, 85.5
LB Jake Ryan, 83.7
DE Mike Daniels, 82.7
LB Blake Martinez, 80.8
S Morgan Burnett, 77.8
Packers' defense fails to make plays when needed
The Packers were able to force Andrew Luck into turnovers early, but failed to stop the Colts from making enough plays to produce a winning effort. Safety Ha Ha Clinton Dix was the game's highest-graded defensive player, as he yielded no receptions and one interception on two targets into his coverage (he also tallied a second interception). Jake Ryan was a run-stopping stalwart throughout the contest against the Colts' downhill power-running game, recording six tackles. Packers DE Mike Daniels was also a force rushing Andrew Luck, recording two sacks, five hits and 15 hurries in an outstanding performance.
Andrew Luck able to grind out win
Quarterback grade: Andrew Luck, 68.2
Andrew Luck made plays, but he also struggled at times with accuracy. Luck dropped back to pass 43 times, completing 23 of his 37 passes for 281 yards with no drops from his receivers. The Indianapolis QB struggled under pressure, completing only three of 13 passes thrown while under pressure for 37 yards, with his interception thrown against pressure. Luck found success throwing the ball down the field, as he was three for five of on passes traveling 20 yards or more in the air.
Top offensive grades:
LT Anthony Castonzo, 77.5
TE Jack Doyle, 76.1
C Ryan Kelly, 72.9
RB Frank Gore, 71.8
WR T.Y. Hilton, 70.8
Colts' offense finds ways to control game
The Colts' offense was not always pretty, but they were effective at key times, and tackle Anthony Castonzo led the way, especially in run blocking. Castonzo is the anchor point of the Colts' smash-mouth running game, as he creates space with his power and angles. Jack Doyle kept drives alive with five catches on eight targets with no drops for 61 yards.
Top defensive grades:
S Clayton Geathers, 83.8
CB Rashaan Melvin, 80.0
CB Vontae Davis 78.2
DT T.Y. McGill 77.9
LB D’Qwell Jackson 75.8
Colts' defense does what is needed
The Colts' defense was able to get Rodgers and the Packers' offense off the field enough for Indianapolis to get out of Lambeau with a win. The Colts' secondary produced a winning effort, led by safety Clayton Geathers (targeted three times, yielding two catches for 14 yards). Cornerbacks Rashaan Melvin, Vontae Davis, and Darius Butler throughout most of game played well enough to keep Rodgers from finding his rhythm until the end. DT T.Y. McGill was able to push the pocket back and harass Rodgers at times, contributing to the Packers QB’s inconsistencies.
PFF Game-Ball Winner: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Packers
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