Inconsistent play at the wide receiver position for the Indianapolis Colts didn’t help the offense’s performance in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
By PFF’s metrics, they credited the Colts pass-catchers with three drops–although having rewatched the game, the does feel a little light compared to what my eyes saw.
This group of pass-catchers also didn’t create much separation against Green Bay’s defensive backs to help create some easier throws for Anthony Richardson.
Next Gen Stats keeps tabs on the average separation that each pass-catcher is able to create on a weekly basis, and there were no Colts players ranked the top 59 players from Week 2 in that category. Alec Pierce was the first to make an appearance on the list at No. 60 overall.
Lastly, this group struggled to come through in contested catch situations as well. By PFF’s count, there were five of Richardson’s passes that were contested by the Packers defense and the Colts didn’t come down with any of them.
Even on plays where catches were made, after the catch opportunities didn’t really exist. As an offense, the Colts averaged just 4.8 yards after the catch.
The ups and downs that we are seeing from Richardson were to be expected. The thought coming into the season was that there would be plenty of help around him so that Richardson wouldn’t have to shoulder the playmaking workload. However, during Week 2 in particular, that wasn’t the case in the passing game, for the most part.
Richardson and AD Mitchell are still not on the same page, while Michael Pittman has gotten off to a slower start, totaling 52 yards on seven catches through two games.
The bright spot in this receiver room right now is Alec Pierce, who carrying over the momentum he established over the summer. After totaling 125 receiving yards on just three receptions in Week 1, Pierce provided a steady presence against the Packers, catching 5-of-7 passes for 56 yards and a score.
Getting Josh Downs back in the fold will certainly provide this passing game a major boost. While the offense has shown the ability to connect on downfield plays, what’s missing is the consistency on short to intermediate routes, which will help the Colts sustain drives.
Downs practiced this past week and was a full participant on Friday before being ruled out of the team’s Week 2 matchup with the Packers.