SR711

Pierce really needed to step it up today with MPJ missing the game and, unfortunately, he failed big time. He cannot consistently separate to be considered a deep threat. That in itself can be worked around. MPJ has the same issue. The difference is that MPJ makes a really high % of contested catches within his catch radius to offset this. Pierce really seems to have issue with this. The missed opportunity today on 3rd down with the Minshew high throw was an example of that.

Bradley needs to go. No other way around it IMO. I completely understand that its paramount to generate pressure with our front 4 especially with the secondary the way it is, but to not change/adjust scheme, strategy when things clearly aren't working is absolutely ridiculous. This is not just an one game overreaction either. It is a repeated pattern that has cost us this year. To not even try to make Heinicke (a QB that no one will never mistake as a pro bowler) uncomfortable was coaching malpractice. I firmly believe that if Bradley calls a few more aggressive blitzes on some of the handful of 3rd (or 2nd) and long down and distances the Falcons faced, we at worse force more punts or possibly generate a TO from an errant, rushed throw and this is a different game today. In general, the reason backup QBs in the NFL are who they are is because in general, they are not as effective against blitzes, etc. Look at Minshew's advanced stats this year against pressure as an example. However, these guys are all professionals, if you allow them to play pitch and catch and don't do anything to disrupt their rhythm or give tighter windows to throw into, they will succeed.

I would agree but that were absolutely horrid on the remainder of that drive. They literally had no resistance that drive. The other unacceptable item was allowing the 3rd and long conversion on WR bubble screen when it was 20-10. That’s basically a let’s see if we get fortunate call by the offense and we let them convert it. I gotta say considering the opponent, etc this was the most frustrating game to watch as a fan this year.

Thank you…I don’t see one thing his defense did to contribute to a winning effort outside of having 11 guys physically on the field. He needs to go…we are not achieving any of our long term goals as a franchise with him running our D

Amazing! You actually blitz and Henieke had to get rid of the ball faster than he wanted resulting in an errant pass. Good thing that Bradley waited till we are down 13 with 9 min left to try something different

Granson has been our best player today

I guarantee you that Bradley and those in the front office that support this passive style of defense are considering it a “win” they only gave up 3 on that drive. The 1st down they allowed on WR screen was unacceptable. Hard to win anytime when things like that happen

Gus Bradley’s irrational rushing with 4 and soft zone have caused this

Worst defensive performance of the year…they have absolutely sunk the ship this game

Fair point. I do have to remind myself he is a backup. His limitations become more magnified when he has no help

he needs to go regardless of how this season turns out. His general MO is way to passive for my liking

That was pathetic

At this game right now and we need to pick it up and get our heads out of our rear ends. The lack of any running game outside of the 1st drive is really setting up the offense for failure. Loss of Pittman is really showing today. No one is getting separation and can’t make contested catches. Minshew needs to be more decisive early about pocket escape, scrambling

The lack of pressure is infuriating.

No separation by the receivers on offense last few drives. Pierce drops a high but catchable ball. Minshew is not the type of QB who can overcome this lack of help from scheme and WR

3 and out would be nice here. Gotta stop the run early

Bradley has to be better than that. Speed Henieke up. Rushing 4 on that last series was a fail.

Who do you think is the Colts MVP this season? I was going to say MPJ but am interested to hear what others here think.

It would be very interesting to see the splits from yesterday on what coverage shells the Colts used yesterday and how it compared to their tendencies for the season. For me, it is hard to tell these things completely when watching live on TV and, maybe it's just my imagination, but it did seem that the corners were in a lot more man coverage than what we typically see. At any rate, it was one of the more thorough, complete defensive performances of the year. Outside of their second drive of the game, Pittsburgh basically got nothing going offensively.

- Colts followed up their worst performance of the season last week with probably their best all-around performance of the season this week. - Mishew was outstanding. In retrospect, the play he made finding Pittman down the sideline for the big gain in the 2nd quarter changed the game. Best game of the season from him. I think he has really been less skittish, disorganized in the pocket the last two games and its led to perhaps his most consistent stretch of the season. - Huge hats off to the O-line. Their play in opening the way for Sermon and Goodson in the 2nd half was exactly what was needed. That's called earning your money. - Gus Bradley did play a lot more man coverages than what we've seen previously. I'd like to continue see him do it and not revert back to his comfort level with zone. - Only real negative IMO was Matt Gay. The team does need him to figure it out ASAP. He gets paid way too much to miss some of the FGs he has missed the past two weeks.

Gay needs to figure this out ASAP. This game should be over

This could be ball game play here

Don’t know if I would blitz now

Pass rushers can start pinning their ears now

Good drive. Burnt a ton of clock. I really hope Bradley does not start playing soft. Do not allow their offense to generate any rhythm