Indianapolis Colts’ Jaylon Jones was among Pro Football Focus’ most productive cornerbacks during Week 11.
Jaylon Jones was among Pro Football Focus’ most productive cornerbacks in the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 11 win over the Jets.
Overall, Jones seemed to be all over the field, which included making five total tackles. But in coverage, while Jones was targeted heavily–eight times–he allowed just four completions for a grand total of 36 yards–or 9.0 yards per catch.
Only one of those four receptions would go for a first down and he also came away with two forced incompletions. Aaron Rodgers’ passer rating when targeting him was just 62.5.
And keep in mind, most of Jones targets came matched up against Garrett Wilson, who has been one of the more productive receivers in football this season. According to PFF, Wilson caught just 2-of-6 targets with Jones in coverage for seven yards.
When Week 11 was all said and done, Jones’ PFF grade was the fourth best among all cornerbacks.
During the offseason, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard chose to stand pat at the cornerback position despite the ups and downs that this group experienced in 2023.
One of the main factors behind this decision was that Ballard wanted to give the young cornerbacks in that room the opportunity to develop, and to a degree, he was banking on that happening.
While Jones has still experienced some ups and downs, again, not uncommon for a young player and includes giving up some explosive completions, overall, Ballard’s decision to lean on Jones has worked out well.
In addition to Jones’ development, the emergence of Samuel Womack, who was claimed off waivers during roster cutdowns, and of course, the play of Kenny Moore, the cornerback position for the Colts has been more stable this season than I’m guessing most would have expected.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know from the Indianapolis Colts second Week 12 injury report.
The Indianapolis Colts were on the practice field for the first time on Thursday after holding a walkthrough on Wednesday, and released their second Week 12 injury report.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know.
– We will see what Friday brings, but Raimann did not practice again on Thursday and hasn’t practiced since exiting the Buffalo game in the first half with a knee injury. Last week, Shane Steichen would call Raimann week to week and mentioned on Wednesday that they would see how he progresses this week before making a decision about this Sunday. However, with him not having practiced in almost two weeks now, I would guess that Matt Goncalves will get the start at left tackle again. We will see.
– Michael Pittman was a full participant for a second day–a good sign that his back is feeling well coming out on last Sunday’s game.
– Braden Smith was upgraded from a limited participant to a full participant as he works through a foot injury. Again, a good sign for this week’s game against a very good Lions’ defense.
– Of note, Josh Downs and Kenny Moore were added to the injury report after not being listed on Wednesday, but both were full participants.
– Lastly, Tyquan Lewis, who was designated to return from IR on Wednesday was a full participant for the second straight day. When asked about the possibility of playing this week even though he just returned to practice after missing the last seven weeks, Lewis said this via the Indy Star:
“It’s possible,” Lewis said of playing this week. “However, I do think moving on throughout the week, we’ve just got to get adjusted to playing again.”
Before the Indianapolis Colts take on the Lions, let’s take a closer look at some of the key players to know on Detroit.
The Indianapolis Colts found their way back into the win column this past Sunday led by quarterback Anthony Richardson in his return to the starting lineup.
Now at 5-6, the Colts still find themselves in the AFC playoff mix, along with Richardson providing this team with a much-needed spark. However, maintaining that momentum this week won’t come easy against a 9-1 Lions team.
Detroit will enter this game with the highest-scoring offense in football, averaging over 33 points per game. Both on the ground or through the air, this unit has looked nearly unstoppable at times this season.
Of course, not to be overlooked is the defensive side of the ball for the Lions. Whether it be on offense or defense, pick a metric and there’s a good chance that Detroit ranks in the top 10 of the NFL. This may be the most complete team in football right now.
For a closer look at the upcoming game, click here.
With the Colts in the AFC South and the Lions in the NFC North, this is a fairly uncommon opponent for Indianapolis. So let’s get to know this Detroit team with the players you should be keeping your eyes on in Sunday’s game.
Quarterback: Jared Goff (73% completion rate at 9.2 YPA with 20 touchdowns to 9 interceptions)
Rushing leader: Jahmyr Gibbs (796 yards at 6.0 YPC–the best in the NFL)
Receiving leader: Amon-Ra St. Brown ( 685 yards on 77 targets with 9 touchdowns)
PFF’s highest graded pass-blocker: OT Penei Sewell
PFF’s highest graded run-blocker: C Frank Ragnow
Most QB pressures: DT Alim McNeill (32) *Please note that Aidan Hutchinson’s 45 pressures are the most but he is on injured reserve.
Most solo tackles: LB Jack Campbell (46)
Lowest completion rate: S Kerby Joseph (50% on 20 targets)
Against the high-scoring Lions’ offense, a big game will be a requirement for the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive front.
If the Indianapolis Colts are going to find any sort of way to contain the Detroit offense, it starts with the defensive front.
The Lions will enter Sunday’s game as the highest-scoring offense in football, averaging over 33 points per game. Whether on the ground with their dynamic running back duo or through the air, this unit has been incredibly difficult to slow down.
Pressure or no pressure, Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff has been extremely efficient this season, but if the Colts are going to have a of chance of limiting this passing game, they have to find a way to generate pressure. If they can’t, like he’s done to so many other teams, Goff can pick defenses apart.
From a clean pocket, Goff is completing almost 80 percent of his passes–a ridiculous number–at 9.5 yards per attempt with 17 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Again, even under pressure, Goff is still effective, completing 61 percent of his throws at 8.6 yards per attempt. So, pressure doesn’t even guarantee success, but that’s a better option than the alternative.
While creating pressure is always the name of the game, it’s a must this week. However, doing so won’t come easy against a Lions’ offensive line unit that is one of the best in football.
With all that said, having the opportunity to rush the quarterback starts with slowing the run game–another tall task. Generally speaking, limiting the running backs puts the offense behind the sticks and in back-on-track situations where they have to throw the ball and the defensive front can pin its ears back.
On the flip side, success on the ground keeps the offense in short down-and-distance situations, where the entire playbook is open to them, and in the Lions’ case, they can continue to utilize a heavy dose of play-action.
With the return of DeForest Buckner a month ago, along with Gus Bradley more willing to dial up pressures, we’ve seen the Colts have more success over the last few games at creating quarterback pressures. Continuing that trend this week may require their best performance of the season.
However, awaiting them in Week 12 is a matchup with the 9-1 Detroit Lions, a team that is considered by many to be the best in football.
The offensive side of the ball is perhaps what jumps out most about this Lions team, as they possess a potent rushing and passing game that has them averaging over 33 points per game–the most in football.
But when discussing this Lions team, it doesn’t much matter what side of the ball you’re focused, basically pick out a metric, and there’s a good chance you’ll see Detroit in the top 10.
Historically, with Detroit being in the NFC North division, this is about as uncommon of an opponent that the Colts will see. In fact, since the year 2000, this upcoming game will only be the seventh time that these two teams have met.
For a closer look at this 2024 Lions team, you can preview the matchup here.
To state the obvious, of course, previous matchups, especially ones that have taken place a number of years ago, have zero bearing on Sunday’s outcome. But nonetheless, let’s take a look back at the somewhat recent matchup history between these two teams.
The corresponding move in order to make room for this addition was releasing cornerback Tre Flowers.
The Colts signed Flowers to the practice squad back on October 29th. GM Chris Ballard has routinely churned the back end of the practice squad on almost a weekly basis this season.
Flowers is a former fifth-round selection by Seattle in the 2018 NFL draft. He’s an experienced player who has appeared in 94 career games.
Before joining the Colts’ practice squad, Flowers spent some time this season with Jacksonville. His most recent regular season playing time came in 2023 with the Atlanta Falcons, where Flowers played 200 defensive snaps.
During that year, Flowers allowed 10 receptions on 14 targets at 17.7 yards per catch with one pass breakup.
Over his career, Flowers has given up a completion rate of 68 percent, allowed 13.0 yards per catch, with four interceptions,16 pass breakups, and a passer rating of 106.9 when targeted.
Still on the practice squad at the cornerback position are Alex Johnson and Jaylin Simpson.
On the 53-man roster, the development of Jaylon Jones and the emergence of Sam Womack, along with Kenny Moore again playing at a high level, has provided that position group with some stability–although the depth is still very much a question mark.
The Indianapolis Colts added a familiar face to their practice squad as they bolster their offensive line depth.
On Thursday morning, ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Detroit Lions, the Indianapolis Colts announced a pair of practice squad moves.
The Colts will be bringing back a familiar face in offensive lineman Mark Glowinski and released cornerback Tre Flowers as the corresponding move in order to make room for this addition.
Glowinski is an experienced player, appearing in 124 career games, which includes 96 starts. He was with the Colts specifically from 2017-2021, along with also playing in Seattle from 2015-2017 and most recently with the New York Giants in 2022-2023.
Of Glowinski’s 124 NFL games, 59 came with the Indianapolis Colts.
Glowinski has spent most of his NFL career playing right guard, but did spend some time at left guard with the Giants last season.
Most recently, he would go on to play 520 offensive snaps during the 2023 season, allowing six sacks and 17 pressures, although he graded out decently well as a run-blocker, according to PFF’s metrics.
The Colts are stockpiling offensive linemen on the practice squad, with Glowinski now the fifth member of that position group.
As of Thursday morning, left tackle Bernhard Raimann was on the Wednesday injury report as a non-participant as he still deals with a knee injury and right tackle Braden Smith was listed as a limited participant with a foot injury.
Glowinski also provides an experienced option at right guard if needed. Rookie Dalton Tucker has been starting there since Will Fries was placed on IR but has been up and down.
(This article was updated with additional information.)
Let’s take a closer look at the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 12 opponent, the Detroit Lions, with everything you need to know.
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a crucial win over the New York Jets, which now puts them at 5-6 on the season. However, a very difficult matchup awaits the Colts with the Detroit Lions coming to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Although still below the .500 mark, the Colts playoff hopes in the AFC are still very much alive, but in their way this week is a Lions team considered by many the best in football.
Basically, pick a category on either side of the ball, and there is a good chance that Detroit ranks in the top 10, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Coming into Week 12, this is the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, putting up over 33 points per game.
With the Lions being an NFC team and a fairly uncommon opponent, let’s take a closer look and preview this Detroit team.
Last week: Win, 52-6 vs. Jacksonville
The Detroit Lions cruised to an easy 52-6 victory at home over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were again without quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Jared Goff was lights out against the Jacksonville defense, completing 24-of-29 passes for 412 yards with four touchdown and he didn’t even play most of the fourth quarter.
The Lions’ defense, meanwhile, was suffocating with Mac Jones, throwing for only 138 yards on 29 attempts with an interception. The Jaguars’ run game would average just 2.4 yards per attempt as well.
Quarterback play
Through 11 weeks, Goff finds himself in the MVP conversation. In short, he has been incredibly efficient this season. On the year, Goff is completing 73 percent of his throws but still averaging 9.2 yards per pass attempt–the highest mark in football. He’s also thrown 20 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
This is a Detroit offense that utilizes play-action at a higher rate than any other team, and while pressure on Goff won’t guarantee success, it is a must when it comes to attempting to slow the Lions’ offense. With time in the pocket, Goff will pick opponents apart.
Line of scrimmage
On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions have arguably the best offensive line in football. So while pressure is important, generating it won’t be easy. Then in the running game, Detroit has the dynamic duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, which as a unit, is averaging a hefty 5.0 yards per rush this season.
Over on the defense, there certainly is no replacing Aidan Hutchinson who is on injured reserve, but the Lions are still finding ways to get after the quarterback, ranking 10th in pressure rate this season. Overall, this is a physical and relentless defense, who against the run is allowing 4.3 yards per carry to opponents, and that ranks 11th.
Turnovers
You guessed it, the Lions are really good in this area as well. On the year, they are plus-nine in turnover differential, which is the third-best mark in football. They’ve come away with 19 takeaways, which includes a number of interceptions from their safety duo, while the offense generally does a good job of taking care of the football.
Injury report
The Lions held a walkthrough on Wednesday, so the first injury report is an estimation of what each player’s status would have been.
CB Carlton Davis (thumb): Full participant
TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder): Full participant
CB Emmanuel Moseley (pec): Full participant
WR Allen Robinson (concussion protocol evaluation): Full participant
TE Shane Zylstra (neck): Full participant
Stats to know
To see how these two teams stack up in several key metrics, click here.
Players to know
RB Jahmyr Gibbs: Averaging 6.0 yards per rush this season, Gibbs leads the NFL in that category and has been one of the best at generating explosive runs.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: Often lining up in the slot, St. Brown leads the team in targets with 77 and has caught a whopping 85 percent of those throws, along with hauling in nine touchdowns.
TE Sam LaPorta: At the tight end position, LaPorta brings another big play element to the offense, averaging almost 15 yards per catch on the season and again, is another reliable target.
DT Alim McNeill: Without Hutchinson, McNeill’s 32 pressures are the most on the team.
S Brian Branch: Listed as a safety but you will see Branch often playing out of the nickel. He’s holding quarterbacks to a completion rate of under 60 percent and fewer than 9.0 yards per catch. He also has four interceptions and eight pass breakups.
The Indianapolis Colts running defense will be put to the test in Week 12 against the dynamic Detroit Lions’ running back duo.
The Indianapolis Colts run defense is going to be put to the test by the dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in the Detroit Lions backfield.
“Detroit’s run game is the real deal,” said defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. “They’ve got two backs that are running at an extremely high level. Some say they’re the two best backs in the league, and they have them both on the same team.”
As an offense, the Lions will enter Week 12, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, which ranks as the eighth-best mark in football. That success begins with arguably the top offensive line in the game and then a backfield that features the aforementioned Montgomery and Gibbs.
Gibbs currently leads the league in yards per carry at a whopping 6.0, totaling 796 rushing yards on only 133 attempts, and has been one of the best at generating explosive runs. Montgomery, meanwhile, is averaging 4.3 yards per rush.
Each back brings something different to the Lions’ offense, with Gibbs the more shifty runner of the two and Montgomery the more physical presence; both have the ability to make defenders miss, with each in the top 11 in missed tackles forced.
That steady success on the ground keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and in manageable down and distance situations, where the entire playbook is then open for the Lions’ offense. On a 2nd-and-4, an offense can run, they can pass, they push the ball downfield, or dump it off, and to a degree, the defense has to be mindful of each option, which can then spread them out.
Or, in short, the defense is frequently at a major disadvantage in these scenarios.
Behind that run game, no team in football utilizes play-action more than Detroit or has put up more passing yards–and it’s not particularly close. Off of that play-action, and oftentimes with the defense on its heels trying to decipher whether it’s a run or a pass that’s coming, Jared Goff will pick opponents apart.
“When you have the challenge of they’re a really good run team and then they have the play-action off of it where they can get the big plays off of it, I think that’s what makes them so challenging,” added Bradley. “They’re very complete that way.”
The Colts run defense over the last month has improved with the return of DeForest Buckner to the mix, but this is still a unit allowing 4.4 yards per carry, which ranks 19th.
The Lions will enter Sunday’s game leading the NFL in scoring at over 33 points per game. The ultimate challenge with this team is that there doesn’t seem to be that one thing you try to take away.
If the plan is to load the box to limit the run, they have Goff and a talented group of receivers that will take advantage. If the defense goes light, then Detroit has zero problem running the ball all game.
Pick your poison, I suppose, but if the Colts are going to find a way to keep this Lions’ offense within reach, that is going to begin with not letting Gibbs and Montgomery run wild.
The Indianapolis Colts’ running game has the Lions’ attention heading into the Week 12 matchup between these two teams.
The Colts face a red-hot Detroit Lions team in Week 12, who will come into this game with an emphasis on limiting the Indianapolis running game.
“We cannot allow them to get this run game going,” said Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell, “because if they do, it’s going to be tough.”
Campbell would go on to praise Anthony Richardson and the Colts offensive scheme, noting the variety of ways that Shane Steichen utilizes Richardson in the run game, along with his ability to push the ball downfield. Then those elements, coupled with Jonathan Taylor, create a difficult combination for a defense to slow.
During this last game against New York, we saw the Colts’ offense that I’m guessing many imagined we would see in 2024 with Richardson. It was a run-centric approach, with Steichen leaning on both Taylor and Richardson on the ground, along with a mixture of shorter area throws combined with pushing the ball downfield. Overall, it was a very well-balanced gameplan from Indianapolis.
A strong run game has numerous benefits to the entire offense. For one, it keeps that unit ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations, helping to then open up the entire playbook. Just about any sort of play can be called when when in short down-and-distances, and it often opens up downfield passing opportunities as well.
In addition to that, there can be a trickle-down effect to the time of possession battle, which gives the defense a breather and keeps the opposing offense on the sidelines–which isn’t a bad thing against the Lions, who are the NFL’s highest-scoring offense.
However, on the flip side, struggles in the run game puts the offense often in get back on track situations and in obvious passing situations. In these scenarios, the defense has the advantage now with the pass rush able to pin its ears back and coverage-wise, there’s only so many routes that can be run on third down and longs.
During the early portion of the second-half against the Jets, the Colts not being able to move the ball consistently on the ground led to what was just described and short possessions.
Detroit will enter this game allowing 4.3 yards per rush to opposing offenses which ranks 11th this season. By ESPN’s run-stop rate metric, they sit 14th overall.
