Colts sticking with Rivers
BY ADAM RIPBERGER
ISL Contributor
After converting a 4th down conversion that went for a
touchdown in the first quarter, things quickly went downhill for the Colts (3-2) offense on Sunday. They were unable to find the end zone for the rest of the game. The Cleveland Browns (4-1) would
eventually hit their stride in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and ultimately came out with a 32-23 win over the visiting Colts.
After that first quarter touchdown, the Colts offense went silent and could only produce three scoring drives the rest of the game, all ending in field goals along with a massive kick-off return touchdown that helped provide a spark in the second half, but ultimately wasn’t enough to mount a comeback on the Browns.
Many critics will send most of the blame to Phillip Rivers and his lack of production on the day. Rivers was 21-for-33 for 243 yards, to go along with two costly interceptions, including a pick-six, and a safety of his own doing. Rivers was hurried most of the game and was moving around quite a bit in the pocket, something the Colts try to avoid with
his limitations. All-star Myles Garrett was greatly to blame for much of the
pressure as the Colts had difficulties containing one of the best defensive linemen in the game.
Despite his struggles, Head Coach Frank Reich and the Colts are sticking with Rivers at the QB position. “He’s the least of my worries,” said Reich. “He’s playing good football. He’s our quarterback.”
The Colts didn’t pay Rivers 25 million dollars to sit on the bench, especially after just five games into the season. With some winnable games coming up, it will give Rivers and the offense a chance to find their stride. Maybe that never happens. Maybe the critics are right and Rivers won’t ever be the answer for this otherwise solid Colts team. But it’s a risk the Colts should take, and it’s a risk they will take.
LOOKING AHEAD
Next up for Colts will be the early “rookie of the year” favorite Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals as they travel to Indianapolis looking for the second win of the
season. The Colts were without pro-bowler Darius Leonard on defense and without longtime linemen Anthony Castonzo, so keeping an eye on the injury report this
week will be something to note as they start to pile up for this team. The Colts have already been hit hard on the offensive side losing Marlon Mack in week 1 and
having a depleted wide receiving core for several weeks now. The Colts will not make excuses or blame injuries for poor play, but it will be important for this team
to stay healthy for this next stretch as crucial games against division rivals loom along with intriguing matchups with Baltimore and Green Bay mixed in the
coming weeks. The season still has promise, but games like Sunday will not get it done in the future.
