Colts @ Raiders
The Indianapolis Colts demolished a sorry Las Vegas Raiders side 44-27 at Allegiant Stadium to hand the Raiders their 3rd loss in 4 games as rookie running back Jonathan Taylor went off for 150 rushing yards on just 20 carries with 2 TDs as the Colts impressed on both sides of the ball.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Philip Rivers: 19/28, 244 yards, 2 TDs
Jacoby Brissett: 2 carries, -2 yards
This was a perfect scenario for Philip Rivers (17.76 fantasy points) and a snapshot in time of the offense that Frank Reich envisaged when bringing in the veteran to lead the Colts on a Super Bowl run. Rivers was calculated and efficient throughout the contest, hurling 2 nice passes to T.Y Hilton for touchdowns in the 1st half to put the Colts in the driving seat at the half.
_0_ / _0_ /#ProBowlVote x @TYHilton13#ProBowlVote x @TYHilton13#ProBowlVote x @TYHilton13
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/JV5xqOMUb9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020
The Colts had only 3 drives in the 2nd half but they all resulted in points and both touchdown drives were expertly managed by Rivers. He is a good bet for healthy fantasy numbers as the Colts battle it out with the Titans for the division title.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor: 20 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards
Nyheim Hines: 7 carries, 58 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 17 yards
Jordan Wilkins: 1 carry, 3 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
There is no doubt that Jonathan Taylor (30.50 fantasy points) has found his feet in this offense – leading the Colts backfield for the 2nd straight week, Taylor showed his elite instincts and carved out a number of long, exciting runs that the Raiders could not handle. Taylor exploded for a 62-yard touchdown on the Colts’ 1st drive of the 2nd half, which was perfect timing.
He gone. 💨#ProBowlVote x @JayT23#ProBowlVote x @JayT23#ProBowlVote x @JayT23
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/oCfPjJ6ICm
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020
On the next Colts drive (a 10-play, 71-yard masterpiece in possession offense), Taylor hit paydirt again to put the cherry on top of a wonderful fantasy day after taking the ball in on a handoff from Nyheim Hines (11.50 fantasy points) on a direct-snap play.
Our RBs do it all. @TheNyNy7 + @JayT23 = TD
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/RVJDVhZkJu
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020
Hines has taken a backseat to Taylor over the last few weeks, however he still holds some useful FLEX value for those who have him rostered.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
T.Y. Hilton: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDs
Jack Doyle: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 44 yards
Michael Pittman Jr.: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 42 yards
Zach Pascal: 2 targets, 1 receptions, 27 yards
Mo Alie-Cox: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Marcus Johnson: 1 target
After being plagued by niggling injuries and a lack of attention, the season has turned into magic for the loveable T.Y. Hilton
(25.60 fantasy points). He now has 277 yards and 4 TDs in his last 3 games and scored the 1st TD of the day today with a fantastic contested catch in the 1st quarter. His late-season renaissance will either delight those in the playoffs who are seeing this unexpected production at just the right time; or, it will annoy those in Toilet Bowls shouting “too little, too late, T.Y.”
Whoa, @TYHilton13. 👻@BudLight | #BudLightCelly
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/4vXQOswb1e
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020
Both Michael Pittman Jr. (6.50 fantasy points) and Jack Doyle (7.40 fantasy points) were popular start recommendations this week who likely disappointed in terms of fantasy production. They saw plenty of looks but both are heavily touchdown reliant in this offense. Sadly today those looks went elsewhere as the Colts benefitted from leaning on the run game.
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Derek Carr: 31/45, 316 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT | 3 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD
The numbers are way better than what the performance was for Derek Carr (25.84 fantasy points), who completed 31-of-45 passes for 316 yards, with 2 TDs, and 2 INTs that, in truth, he was a little unlucky with. Carr has often been tainted with the careless brush so it was somewhat ironic that his 2 turnovers here came on a day when he didn’t show enough endeavor to truly hurt this Colts defense.
He made only 1 truly impressive throw down the sideline to Agholor but failed to replicate that level of play in the 2nd half when the Raiders needed him the most.
Just how you draw it up.@derekcarrqb ➡️ Nelly | CBS pic.twitter.com/u4S1w83wZZ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 13, 2020
Still, Carr put up healthy fantasy numbers (likely as a streamer for most people) and should be good for more next week against the porous Chargers defense. The Raiders are still on the outside looking in at the playoff picture so Carr will need to take more risks and win out from here on in.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs: 13 carries, 49 yards | 5 targets, 3 receptions, 25 yards
Jalen Richard: 2 carries, 10 yards | 5 target, 4 reception, 31 yards
Devontae Booker: 4 carries, 8 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 11 yards
Alec Ingold: 1 target, 1 reception, 0 yards
Another dreadful outing for Josh Jacobs (10.40 fantasy points) did not helped those who have him rostered as an RB1 in their playoff games. Jacobs has only had an RB1 fantasy finish once since Week 5, and has only gone for more than 65 yards twice in his last 7 games. The game script didn’t help him today but more worrying for dynasty owners is the use of Devontae Booker (4.90 fantasy points) in the passing game rather than Jacobs. At the minute, expect only RB2 numbers at best in next week’s contest against the Chargers.
Jalen Richard (8.10 fantasy points) will likely find himself in the doghouse with Jon Gruden this week after tipping a straightforward check down into the arms of Colts safety Khari Willis for a pick 6.
Don't forget to tip the wait staff. #ProBowlVote x Khari Willis#ProBowlVote x Khari Willis#ProBowlVote x Khari Willis
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/ygvIuiyDKS
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Nelson Agholor: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
Darren Waller: 10 targets, 7 receptions, 75 yards
Foster Moreau: 2 targets, 1 reception, 47 yards, 1 TD
Hunter Renfrow: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 38 yards, 1 FUM lost
Henry Ruggs III: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards
Establishing himself as the Raiders No.1 wideout, Nelson Agholor caught 5-of-9 targets for 100 yards and a fantastic 21-yard touchdown grab to put the Raiders ahead midway through the 2nd quarter.
DC had what he wanted the whole way 🎯
14-10, just like that.#INDvsLV | CBS pic.twitter.com/L9E2HvK5kB
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 13, 2020
Agholor was impressive against a stout Colts secondary who have shutdown much better receivers than him this season. The much-maligned receiver seems to have put the drops he made a habit off in Philadelphia behind him and is a safe bet to see solid volume and be a valuable fantasy asset in the next few weeks.
Darren Waller (14.50 fantasy points) was always a long shot to reproduce his mammoth 45+ fantasy points day last week but he did see plenty of volume once again. Waller’s day was soured by Kenny Moore, who made a sensational one-handed grab in the endzone to takeaway a touchdown from the big tight end.
.@KennyKennyMoe3 is good at football.
📺 CBS
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020
The “other tight end” in Las Vegas, the forgotten Foster Moreau (11.70 fantasy points), opened the scoring for the Raiders with a touchdown that helped nobody.
Riiiiiight down the seam for six!@derekcarrqb X @fhmoreau #ProBowlVote#INDvsLV | CBS pic.twitter.com/Xril8SENv0
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 13, 2020
— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)