Colts Stumble at Home as Texans Snap Impressive Streak
The Indianapolis Colts faced a disappointing setback on Sunday, falling 20-16 to the Houston Texans. This defeat marks a significant shift for the Colts, who now sit at an 8-4 record after being undefeated at home with a perfect 6-0 slate prior to this game. The Texans, on the other hand, are now just one game behind in the division race, injecting new life into their playoff hopes.
Daniel Jones Struggles in Clutch Situations
Quarterback Daniel Jones found himself unable to rally the Colts in the closing moments of the game. With the Colts’ late-game struggles continuing, they now stand at 2-for-5 on game-winning drive attempts this season, having secured victories against the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. However, in consecutive weeks, they have faltered when it mattered most.
Jones’ performance has raised eyebrows across the league, particularly in the fourth quarter and overtime. His total quarterback rating (QBR) of 33.8 places him 28th among all starters in the NFL, a troubling statistic that highlights his inability to perform under pressure. This rating is notably lower than other quarterbacks, including Justin Fields—who was benched on November 17—Jacoby Brissett, currently a backup due to injury, and rookie Cam Ward.
Understanding QBR and Its Implications
ESPN’s total QBR metric provides a more nuanced view compared to traditional passer ratings. It takes into account various factors such as down, yards needed for a first down, distance to the end zone, and remaining time in the game, with a score of 50.0 considered average. In contrast, passer rating merely reflects box score statistics, including attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
In the critical moments against both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Texans, the Colts had opportunities to secure victories. Against the Chiefs, the Colts’ offensive unit went three-and-out on four consecutive possessions, including their first drive in overtime after choosing to receive the ball. This past Sunday against Houston, the Colts’ final drive spanned three minutes and consisted of just eight plays before they ultimately turned the ball over on downs, sealing their fate in a tightly contested matchup.
Jones’ Recent Performance Under Scrutiny
During the fourth quarters and the single overtime period against the Chiefs and Texans, Jones completed only 5 of 15 passes, resulting in just one first down conversion. His struggles late in games have not gone unnoticed, with former NFL quarterback Alex Smith expressing concern over Jones’ mobility, attributing it to a fractured fibula. “I was shocked to hear that he’s playing through this,” Smith remarked, highlighting the challenges Jones faces in executing plays effectively.
As the Colts look ahead, questions loom regarding Jones’ capacity to lead the team in high-pressure situations. With the playoffs on the horizon, the Colts must find a way to harness their potential and overcome their recent challenges if they wish to remain competitive in the tightly contested AFC South.
