Colts quarterback Andrew Luck goes in for a 3-yard touchdown run against the Browns on Sunday. Luck now has three rushing TDs to lead the team. (AP) |
It was safe to assume at the start of the season that quarterback Andrew Luck would lead the Colts in touchdowns. It was not, however, on anyone's radar that Luck would also have the team's most rushing touchdowns, as well. After scoring on the ground twice in a 17-13 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Luck upped his total scores on the ground to three. Injured running back Donald Brown has the only other rushing touchdown, something that could doom the Colts in future goal-line situations.
Indianapolis didn't need a goal-line back Sunday against Cleveland, when the Colts did just enough to get past the Browns.
Offense: B-
Again, nothing spectacular, but the offense was effective and largely mistake free Sunday. It found the end zone a couple of times and put up enough points to outscore the offensively challenged Browns. Luck did fumble on a fourth quarter sack that Cleveland recovered, just about the only major misstep from an offense that was dominated a week prior. Though mistakes were limited, the Colts offense didn't produce much, either. It was a solid all-around performance, but nothing for the offense to hang its collective hat. Previous game's grade: C-
Defense: B
Like the offense, the defense did what it needed to do. A major concern entering Sunday's game was stopping rookie running back Trent Richardson, who finished with just eight yards on eight carries in a half of play. The Colts' defense can't be punished because Richardson sat the second half, but its job got a whole lot easier. Still, for a unit that gave up 252 rushing yards to the Jets, holding Cleveland to just 55 yards on the ground is certainly a step in the right direction. Previous game's grade: D
Special Teams: B
Interim coach Bruce Arians voiced concern over containing Browns returner Josh Cribbs during the week leading up to the game, and Cribbs was held in check. The rest of the unit was solid and unspectacular: no fumbled punts, no botched field goals and no brain lapses. In short, the special teams guys did their jobs. The same could not be said for them last week. Previous game's grade: C-
Coaching: B
One thing that appeared to be a focus this week was getting the run game going -- and the Colts did, for the most part. Vick Ballard had his best game as a pro -- 20 carries for 84 yards -- and Delone Carter was even somewhat effective. The staff appears comfortable in their roles, now three games removed from coach Chuck Pagano's announcement. It was a solid and much-needed bounce back win after last week's debacle against the Jets. Previous game's grade: C
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.