The Indianapolis Colts proved they can play with anybody. Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t play well, but much of that had to do with the Colts stepping up and dominating at the line of scrimmage. Indianapolis ran for 180 yards and held the Chiefs under 25 points (13, in fact) for the first time in 26 games, breaking a NFL record-long streak. Not a bad way to close out the pre-bye portion of the schedule.
It’s time to move on from Dan Quinn in Atlanta. The Falcons were pummeled by a mediocre Houston Texans team on Sunday, allowing 53 points in a blowout defeat. The team is 1-4 and looks listless, a sign that it might not believe in the coach and his message anymore. Atlanta isn’t a Super Bowl team due to its issues on the line and a crush of injuries, but there’s no reason for the team to be this bad.
The Los Angeles Chargers blew a golden opportunity. The Chiefs lost to Indy at home, opening the door for a team to sneak up in the AFC West. Most agree that team should be the Chargers, but they also lost at home to a previously winless Denver Broncos squad. Los Angeles is now 2-3 with a divisional loss, and while Kansas City has some issues to sort, it appears quite the climb for Anthony Lynn and his Chargers in the AFC West.
The Baltimore Ravens saved their season on Sunday afternoon, but it wasn’t pretty. Lamar Jackson threw three interceptions in an overtime win, a game that needed extra time despite Pittsburgh being down to its third-string quarterback. If the Ravens are going to be a legitimate force come January, they’ll need to improve on both sides of the ball.
The New York Jets are going to give the Miami Dolphins a run for their money. New York lost 31-6 in Philadelphia on Sunday, and it wasn’t even that close. The Jets were dominated and have been dominated most of the season. It’s become a pattern with head coach Adam Gase, who doesn’t seem to have answers, or even one of the answers. The two teams will play each other down the stretch in two affairs, and it’s not impossible to see the Dolphins winning one of those tilts. This could be quite the match race of futility.
