Colts: Disappointment in Pittsburgh is Becoming Too Familiar
By Dave McKee
Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (6) throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
In short order, the Colts 10-6 lead in the second quarter melted away to a 21-10 halftime deficit.
Then, to add salt to the wound, Matt Hasselbeck leaves the game in the second half with a neck and shoulder injury. We got our first look at Clipboard Jesus (aka Charlie Whitehurst) and can only wish we hadn’t. Pittsburgh unleashed the hounds and the rout was on as they outscored the Colts 24-0 in the second half. Big Ben Roethlisberger would have had a career best against Indianapolis, but he had already done that the year prior.
As I pointed out before the game, the Colts defense was at serious risk. No pass rush and a lack of consistency in the secondary have left them vulnerable before. Against an arsenal of weapons at Roethlisberger’s disposal, the secondary had to have its best game of the season. Instead, Vontae held every receiver he could. Sadly, Davis who is the lone defensive playmaker showed absolutely none of his shutdown capability that he’s known for.
On the other side of the field was Greg Toler. Do I really need to explain his performance or can we just accept that I said the name, Greg Toler? After all, his name is synonymous with blown coverage. Okay, I’ll say this, he should have left the game early and been admitted to the nearest hospital – perhaps UPMC Mercy – for third-degree burns. He was torched by Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and even former Colts disappointment Darrius Heyward-Bey.
To give you an idea of how bad that is, DHB spent an entire season with the Colts in 2013 as an afterthought. The only reason DHB was held to 21 receiving yards was because there were several other options running open throughout soft zone coverage the Colts tried to use to “slow” down the Steelers offense.
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