Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts
Final Score: Colts 40, Raiders 6
Writer: Pranav Babarjung
No kicker? No problem. Indiana Jones and the Colts made an absolute mockery of the Raiders at home even after losing Spencer Shrader to an injury. After a promising opening drive that ate up most of the first quarter by Las Vegas, the Raiders could not get anything going for the rest of the game. This contest was over by the third quarter, with the Colts benching their starters in the fourth. Geno Smith threw two interceptions, and Jonathan Taylor blew up for another amazing fantasy performance.
Three Up
- Ashton Jeanty — Jeanty’s breakout is here. He sees everything out of this backfield.
- Josh Downs — Downs led the Colts in targets and receptions.
- Jonathan Taylor — Taylor found the end zone three times for his second hat trick of the season.
Two Down
- Jakobi Meyers — In what was suppose to be a favorable game script, Meyers saw almost nothing until late.
- Geno Smith — Smith was unable to keep a drive going until garbage time, on top of two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Geno Smith: 25/36, 228 Yards, 2 INTs | 3 Carries, 8 Yards
The Colts wrote him off, but this time Geno Smith wrote back. Smith had a frankly abysmal performance. Rather than just getting rid of the ball, this man just loves throwing into double coverage for some reason, leading to one of his two turnovers on the day. Smith was only able to get something going in the passing game in garbage time, well after the game was already lost. Poor play from the offensive line only exacerbated Smith’s ineffectiveness. This is not the Geno Smith from years past.
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty: 14 Carries, 67 Yards | 7 Targets, 5 Reception, 42 Yards
Ashton Jeanty had another high-volume day as the Raiders only effective offensive piece. On a first drive that ate up almost 10 minutes from the clock, he was involved in 8 of 14 plays, not including a sack and a field goal. Even in a negative game script, Jeanty performed. He rested in the fourth quarter to prevent any chance of injury.
Raheem Mostert: 7 Carries, 22 Yards
Raheem Mostert played all of the fourth quarter, when the game was essentially over.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tre Tucker: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 62 Yards | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Tre Tucker led all Raiders pass catchers this week with just 62 yards. Most of his production came off a wide-open 33-yard pass. However, he did not see any targets in the second half.
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. : 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 36 Yards
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. took over the majority of what would have been star tight end Brock Bowers‘ targets. The former Bronco also had an end-zone target from 16 yards out, but was double-covered.
Jakobi Meyers: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 32 Yards
This stat line is a little deceiving. Jakobi Meyers was expected to have a huge game this week, playing against a depleted Indianapolis secondary with Bowers out. Instead, he saw one target until the game was already lost. The other five all came in the fourth quarter, and included a touchdown that he could not hold on to.
Jack Bech: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards
The rookie likely saw season highs in targets, receptions, and yards this week.
Ian Thomas: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards
Bowers’ injury led to some involvement from Ian Thomas and Okwuegbunam from the tight end position.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: 20/29, 212 Yards, 2 TDs | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
Following a three-and-out on the opening drive, Daniel Jones led the Colts down the field every single following drive for a touchdown. He played mostly a solid game, and rested on the bench in the fourth quarter. He only had one rushing attempt, and got 2 yards to secure the first down and keep their first scoring drive alive.
Anthony Richardson Sr.: 1/2, 9 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Anthony Richardson Sr. played out the fourth quarter with a surprise Marcus Mariota impression as he caught a deflected pass for 9 yards.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor: 17 Carries, 66 Yards, 3 TDs, 2-Pt. Conversion | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards
Jonathan Taylor was struggling against this Raiders defensive line in the first quarter, but got it together enough to get in the end zone three (technically four with the 2-point conversion) times on the ground. It seemed like he was done for the day when Ameer Abdullah was brought in at the goal line to score in the third quarter, but Taylor came back to score his third following this drive.
DJ Giddens: 5 Carries, 22 Yards | 1 Target, 0 Receptions
DJ Giddens played out the game after Taylor’s third touchdown. No significant other usage.
Ameer Abdullah: 2 Carries, 6 Yards, TD
Ameer Abdullah got a pair of goal-line touches to score against his old team.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ashton Dulin: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 55 Yards
Ashton Dulin was a premier deep threat this week, leading Colts pass catchers in yards, with no targets under 15 yards deep. He had another 19-yard catch that was reviewed and called incomplete. Dulin seems to have taken over Adonai Mitchell‘s role after his mistakes last week.
Josh Downs: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 54 Yards
Although Josh Downs didn’t find the end zone this week, the uptick in his usage in a game environment that didn’t favor passing is encouraging. He led all Colts pass catchers in targets and receptions.
Tyler Warren: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 44 Yards, TD | 0/1, 0 Passing Yards
Tyler Warren was used heavily at the beginning of this game, and hauled in a touchdown in the second quarter. Right before the TD, he unsuccessfully tried to pass for one as well. Warren was called for offensive pass interference to nix one of his two missed 2-point conversions.
Michael Pittman Jr.: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 39 Yards, TD
Michael Pittman Jr. saves his fantasy day with a receiving touchdown. The Colts just had no reason to throw the ball as Taylor and the defense controlled this game.