Indianapolis Colts Week 4 Stock Report

The Indianapolis Colts are back in the win column. 

It took a double-digit fourth-quarter comeback over a team the Colts have routinely dominated over the last decade, but when you're 0-2, a win is a win. And really, maybe the Colts needed a game like this to shake things up. They have looked lifeless through two weeks, and sometimes an emotional road win over a division rival can work magic in a locker room. 

But things are not all sunshine and roses in Indianapolis. 

The Colts still looked awful for most of the first three quarters on Sunday, and there are still questions about the offense's ability to consistently move the ball and avoid back-breaking turnovers. The defensive concerns haven't gone away in the slightest, although there have been some promising signs from young players on the defensive line. 

Can the Colts get back to .500 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday and get this season back on the right track? It might just depend on the individuals who have disappointed, or continued to improve, over the last week. 

Stock Up: Frank Gore

Weston Kenney/Associated Press

Frank Gore is a stud. 

You could see it in spurts in the first two weeks, but the Colts simply never were in a position to give him a heavy workload. Gore also had an odd non-contact fumble at the goal line against the New York Jets. 

But the Colts learned, gradually giving him more and more work until he exploded against the Tennessee Titans for 86 yards (on more than six yards per carry) and two touchdowns. The Titans defense isn't particularly stout against the run, ranking just 24th against the run, per Football Outsiders' DVOA, but Gore was still fantastic.

It's not just the stats either. Gore ran brilliantly, finding creases that were hardly discernible for valuable yards. Not only did he score multiple, crucial touchdowns against the Titans, but his slight lunges forward for first downs on third-down carries also extended drives.

Now, if only he can get involved in the passing game.  

Stock Down: Andrew Luck's Health

Weston Kenney/Associated Press

There have been whispers about Andrew Luck potentially being hurt throughout the first few weeks of the season, as he's looked uncharacteristically indecisive and has played poorly. 

But those whispers didn't lead to anything concrete until Sunday's game against the Titans, when an odd portion of the broadcast seemed to show Luck wincing at a rather innocuous pat by backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. 

Luck went on to lead two game-winning touchdown drives; however, media members such as the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder noted after the game that he seemed spent at the team's press conference, even more than usual. 

But then came practice, and Luck sat out most of Wednesday's. Chuck Pagano called it a right shoulder injury, while Luck said that it "didn't feel as good" as he'd have liked it to after the game, per George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin. 

When Luck was hurt is unclear, but it's a bit of an explanation as to why his accuracy was middling throughout the game. According to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, Luck and Pagano have been adamant that the injury did not occur until the Titans game, so it still doesn't quite explain the first two weeks of the season. Still, it's important to remember that Luck was at his best in this last fourth quarter, presumably after the injury. It's one of those inexplicable sports moments where somebody overcomes logic. 

Nobody in the locker room seems to be too concerned about Luck missing Sunday's home game against Jacksonville, but this is the first time we've seen any sort of physical weakness from Luck, who has endured more than his fair share of hits over the last few years. The Colts must ensure they keep their quarterback healthy, because any chance at a postseason run will depend on No. 12. 

Stock Tentatively Up: Andrew Luck's Play

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

The bright side for Andrew Luck has to do with that inexplicable fourth quarter. 

Had he played like that early in the game and then allowed the Titans back into the game, we might not be so optimistic. But having Luck finish the game with an 11-of-13 quarter for 144 yards and two touchdowns invokes hope. 

There is hope that Luck simply found his groove and that the Colts offense can build off this going forward. 

It just looked like everything finally clicked. Luck was making quick decisions; he was not afraid to take a shot downfield, but he also quickly dumped the ball off to safety valves. 

Contrary to some fan assumptions, the Titans did not go to a prevent defense late in the game and continued to send five or six rushers for the majority of the fourth quarter. But with Frank Gore in the game helping the offense pick up extra blitzers, Luck had just enough time to find a much-needed rhythm. 

With another divisional game on Sunday, Luck needs to replicate that quarter and continue to show us that he's found his game again.

Stock Down: Andre Johnson

James Kenney/Associated Press

For the third consecutive week, we've seen Andre Johnson disappoint. 

The future Hall of Famer went from 10 targets and four catches in Week 1 to seven targets and three catches in Week 2. In Week 3, he was invisible, getting just one target (which he dropped). While young receivers such as Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett are seeing their roles increase, the Colts are finding it difficult to come up with reasons to keep Johnson on the field. 

After charting each of Johnson's routes thus far this season, I found that he has struggled mightily to get separation against man coverage and overall has gotten open just 31 percent of the time. 

Now, Johnson can still have a role in the offense, particularly over the middle in the short and intermediate zones, as he's been able to create space on dig and slant patterns. 

But the Colts have to make that a focused part of the offense if Johnson is ever going to consistently produce. So far, they haven't had much luck in that regard but were most effective on Sunday when they put speed on the field, stretching the defense and allowing a tight end to eat up space underneath with crossing patterns. 

Johnson can also still improve his chemistry with his quarterback, with back-shoulder throws and red-zone targets still viable roads to big plays. But until we actually see that happen, the trust and expectations for Johnson will continue to decrease. 

Stock Up: Robert Mathis

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Boy, it is nice to see Robert Mathis back on the football field.

After missing an entire year with an Achilles tear, the Colts' most beloved quarterback-killer has returned, and none too soon. The Colts have struggled tremendously to pressure opposing quarterbacks, and Mathis could be a decisive force. 

While Mathis had just one tackle on Sunday (a six-yard sack), he also added two more quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. In addition to putting tackles in a spin cycle, Mathis also showed off his old bull rush on Sunday, pushing tackle Taylor Lewan directly into Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota's lap and forcing a hurried throw. 

We still aren't quite sure what we'll get from Trent Cole, who missed last week with a minor injury, but if he and Mathis can at least provide a pass rush on a part-time basis, it could make a huge difference for Indianapolis.