Biggest Disappointments from Jets vs. Colts on Monday Night

There is a sense of deja vu in Indianapolis after the Colts lost for the second week running, this time against the New York Jets on Monday night.

Last season, Chuck Pagano's team was winless in its first two games. This year is no different.

But the outlook after two games of the 2015 season is much more ominous than it was last year. The Colts started 2014 with losses in Denver by seven points and at home to the Philadelphia Eagles by three. Those two respectable losses didn’t impact the team’s prospects.

This season the Colts have started with defeats to the Buffalo Bills and the Jets—two teams in the AFC.

They were outplayed for the second straight week. Someone has replaced the 2014 Andrew Luck with an inaccurate, reckless quarterback who only looks like the star passer from last year. 

1. Andrew Luck

The Colts committed five turnovers on Monday night.

The quarterback was responsible for four of them.

Luck threw three interceptions and lost a fumble in what was a miserable night for the 26-year-old.

His first two errors—a missed throw to Andre Johnson that Calvin Pryor intercepted in the first quarter and a fumble with just over a minute to go in the first half—gifted the Jets possession in Colts territory.

"

Andrew Luck: 4 turnovers, tied for his most in a game in his career Leads NFL in turnovers since start of 2014 pic.twitter.com/Wjfy8vRxaw

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 22, 2015"

Luck finished 21-of-37 passing for 250 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions and was lambasted by Pagano after the game.

"

More Pagano on Luck: He's got to take care of the football. Make great decisions. It’s not that hard. It’s not trigonometry.

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 22, 2015"

Pagano didn’t even allow Luck to use the offensive line, which was harassed all game, as an excuse.

"

Pagano on Luck and #colts leaky O-line: 'Been the case for 3 years now, has it not? Should be more than comfortable dealing with (it).'

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 22, 2015"

Luck’s accuracy, or lack thereof, was also a concern. He missed Joe Reitz in the end zone in the first quarter before underthrowing T.Y. Hilton on the subsequent play.

Against the Bills in Week 1 the Colts scored their first points with under a minute to go in the third quarter. On Monday night Luck led the Colts' first scoring drive in the fourth quarter.

If this team is worthy of claiming an AFC title, Luck must start finding the end zone earlier. 

2. Vontae Davis

Davis was tasked with handling the Jets' best receiver in Brandon Marshall, and it’s fair to say Davis came out second-best.

He assisted on Mike Adams’ interception, a pass intended for Marshall, but otherwise struggled against his former Miami Dolphins teammate.

A concussion suffered in the second quarter ended Davis's night prematurely.

In his brief time in the game he committed two defensive-holding penalties, both on third down, and was accountable for Eric Decker’s touchdown.

With Greg Toler and Darius Butler both inactive, the Colts were scarily thin at the cornerback position even before Davis suffered a concussion in a helmet-to-helmet collision with Jets running back Bilal Powell.

It capped a regretful night for the Pro Bowl cornerback.

3. Frank Gore

Few running backs are more reliable from the 1-yard line than Frank Gore.

So when Pep Hamilton ordered a Gore run from the goal line in the third quarter, it seemed like a guaranteed touchdown, especially when Gore broke to the left untouched.

But then disaster struck. He dropped the ball, and the Jets recovered, puncturing the Colts’ hopes of a comeback after a 10-minute, 79-yard drive.

"

Frank Gore on his fumble: "I can't do that. I put that on me. I effed up ... the game would've been different."

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 22, 2015"

Had Gore scored, the game could have swung in the Colts’ favor. They were only trailing by 10 points and may have capitalized on the momentum.

But Gore’s fumble left Lucas Oil Stadium devoid of any life. It did, however, lead to a great quote from Pagano:

"

Pagano: '10-minute drive, length of the field and we put the ball on the ground. You're not going to beat Zionsville doing that.'

— Nat Newell (@NatJNewell) September 22, 2015"

Gore averaged 3.8 yards per carry, totaling just 57 rushing yards. The former San Francisco 49ers back has rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of his 11 seasons in the NFL, so his slow start to 2015—44 yards per game, 3.8 yards per carry, zero touchdowns and a fumble in two games—is seemingly just an early season blip. 

4. Colts Offensive Line

A bigger cause for concern is the Colts offensive line.

Part of the reason for Luck’s troubles and Gore’s struggles was the poor blocking by the Colts offensive line.

Luck likely woke up Tuesday morning with bruises aplenty. He was hit 11 times and faced constant pressure all night.

"

Per @PFF, Jets blitzed Luck on 17 of 41 dropbacks (41 percent). Pressured him 21 times (51 percent). Luck had a 29.2 rating when pressured.

— dom cosentino (@domcosentino) September 22, 2015"

His first interception was the result of a corner blitz by Buster Skrine that the line failed to pick up, which forced him to deliver a wayward throw.

When the pocket collapsed, Luck rushed from the pocket and was swarmed by four defenders. The result? A fumble recovered by Darrelle Revis.

General manager Ryan Grigson is being blamed for not improving the line in the offseason, and Monday night's performance provided his critics with more ammunition.

Confusion reigned among the players. Offseason addition Todd Herremans was repeatedly manhandled.

If the line can’t protect Luck, then difficultly lies ahead for an offense with so much promise. Pressure will mount, clear running lanes will be non-existent and, perhaps most concerning, the hits will pile up.

Veteran guard Evan Mathis was available until late August. The Colts waited until the seventh round of the draft to select an offensive lineman.

These missed opportunities will prove costly if their star quarterback continues to face intense pressure.