What We Saw: Preseason Week 1 2018

Colts. vs. Seahawks

Andrew Luck’s much-anticipated return went about as well as the team could have really hoped. He led the Colts to two scoring drives on both of his possessions, completing 6 of 9 passes to five different receivers for 64 yards. Even with Luck’s return, the Indianapolis offense looked all too familiar, moving the ball but stagnating in opposing territory. Marlon Mack struggled to move the ball on the ground while Robert Turbin only broke loose for one quality run. Part of this can be attributed to a still fearsome Seattle front, but also to an inexperienced, injured offensive line. The two players of note beyond Luck were Marlon Mack and begrudgingly Adam Vinatieri. Mack countered his poor running display with two catches out of the backfield. A contributor in limited time, he will be a threat through the air no matter how he performs on the ground. Ideally I would not be touting a kicker through Week 1 of the preseason, but the 23rd year man deserves some praise for converting all three attempts including a long 51-yarder.

Additional Notes:

• John Simon recorded 1.5 sacks
• Kenny Moore II continued to battle for increased playing time
• Nyheim Hines struggled with 3 rushes for 7 yards, 5 punt returns for 15 yards, and two fumbles.
• Jordan Wilkins ran six times for 21 yards (averaged 4.0 YPC before Brad Kaaya fumble resulted in five yard loss) – added one reception for 7 yards and a crucial third down conversion to close out the game.

Russell Wilson continues to be the star quarterback we all expect him to be. Seattle’s complete offense ran only one series together, a possession capped off by tight end Nick Vannett’s 5-yard touchdown reception. Wilson completed 4 of 5 pass attempts for 43 yards (and that touchdown) plus two scrambles for 16 yards. The team was bailed out by a lacking pass rush from the Colts’ defense on a number of first down conversions, and a key missed tackle from second-round pick Darius Leonard helped set up the touchdown. Nevertheless, the offense ran fairly well around the franchise centerpiece. Both Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny found space for a key run, but neither found a consistent rhythm on the ground. I still worry about the team’s offensive line. Wilson was forced out of the pocket on multiple occasions, the run game never really got moving, and D.J. Fluker compounded a run for loss with a subsequent false start.

It’s worth noting that the Colts fumbled three consecutive snaps, the final resulting in a Seattle touchdown.

Additional Notes:

• Rasheem Green totaled 7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 tackle-for-loss.
• The entirety of the offensive line reserve struggled to protect.
• Shaquem Griffin finished with 9 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss.
• Damore’ea Stringfellow had a phenomenal sideline catch called back due to a penalty.

-Michael Collins