The Indianapolis Colts scored on their first drive of game against the Tennessee Titans to take an early 7-0 lead.
This is the third straight game where the Colts have scored on their opening possession–a credit to head coach Shane Steichen for the opening scripts he has put together.
The opening script is the first 15 or so plays put together by an offense that are meant to exploit certain weaknesses, for lack of a better word, that the defense has put on tape while also putting the offense in advantageous situations. These plays are often most effective right away before the defense has time to adjust.
On that opening drive, Joe Flacco was 4-for-7 passing for 58 yards, including a 22 yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs. Mo Alie-Cox also had a 22 yard completion of his own and Michael Pittman a nine yard catch.
As Joel Erickson of the Indy Star notes, even on the incompletes from Flacco on the drive, his pass-catchers were in space–again, a credit to Steichen’s play designs as well as the execution by the offense.
The three incompletions on that series:
– An open Kylen Granson up the left side (throw probably came out of pocket a little late)
– An open Josh Downs (Flacco went downfield to Pierce, who almost caught a ball it initially looked like he had no shot at)
– An open Dulin https://t.co/ewgnsezgEO— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) October 13, 2024
Now, the next step, is continuing to find steady success when this script concludes. Oftentimes this season, the Colts offense has either been boom-or-bust with big scoring plays or short possessions.
(This post has been updated with additional information.)