The Colts came up short again, but a few players still managed to leave the kind of imprint that gets noticed even in a 27-23 loss to the Cowboys. Indianapolis is now 2-7, the playoffs are out of reach, and the bigger picture around Shane Steichen’s team looks bleak. Still, in a game where several of the familiar names fell flat, a handful of others gave the Colts something to build on.
Ashton Dulin was the first one to cash in. With Alec Pierce out, Indianapolis has spent much of the season without a real vertical threat, but the Colts finally leaned into Dulin’s speed, elusiveness, and craftiness.
It took just one catch for him to flip the game, breaking free for a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown. That kind of burst is exactly why he should keep getting chances over the final eight games.
Spencer Shrader kept doing what he’s done all season: steadying an offense that has needed the help. After a rare off day in Week 8, he answered by going 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on PATs.
His 59-yard kick tied the game late and would’ve been good from 70-plus with the way he struck it. Then he drilled another 50-yarder to put Indianapolis ahead by three before Dallas answered for the final score.
Laiatu Latu also flashed the disruptive edge the Colts were hoping for when they brought him in. After what has been a frustrating season, he delivered one of his most impactful performances yet with a strip sack of Dak Prescott that led to a fumble recovery by Caden Curry. Pro Football Focus credited him with a 15.6 percent pass-rush win rate, along with three hurries and one quarterback hit.
CJ Allen rounded out the list with another encouraging step forward. The rookie second-round pick has been trending up after a slow start, and this may have been his best outing yet.
He helped force a punt by stopping CeeDee Lamb on third down after Jonathan Taylor’s fumble, then finished with 10 total tackles and four run stops. More importantly, he looked far more comfortable than he did earlier in the year.
In Other News...
Colts Suddenly Face QB Uncertainty As Vikings Search For Help
The quarterback market is suddenly becoming a Colts story again as the NFL trade deadline approaches, with Minnesota reportedly searching for help before Nov. 10. NFL Networks Ian Rapoport mentioned Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones as possible targets, a reminder that quarterback-needy teams can force conversations quickly this time of year and put other clubs on alert even when they are not looking to move anyone.
For Indianapolis, the wrinkle is less about what Minnesota wants than what it might try to pry loose. The Colts have already made clear they are not interested in dealing Jones, while the Raiders have shown no appetite to move Cousins, but the Vikings may keep pressing anyway as they sift through options. For a team trying to manage its own quarterback situation, that kind of external demand can turn a quiet week into one worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Took Heat After Barely Escaping The Colts
Dallas left Indianapolis with a win, but not much peace of mind. The Cowboys edged the Colts 27-23 in a game that drew plenty of scrutiny afterward, with analyst Connor Livesay taking aim at the coaching staff, especially offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, for the way the offense was managed and for a performance that never looked fully in control.
Schottenheimer did not dismiss the issues, pointing to the penalties and the need for the team to learn how to finish games. For Indianapolis, the result still stings because it was there to be taken, and the way Dallas escaped only sharpened the questions around how the Colts matched up against a team that now turns its attention to San Francisco. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Could Lose Josh Downs For Less Than Fans Would Want
Josh Downs has become one of the more intriguing names to watch as the trade market starts to take shape, and the buzz around him reflects both his value and the Colts broader roster calculus. Sports Illustrateds Albert Breer reported that Kansas City is looking hard at receiver help because of injuries and uneven production in its current group, which makes Downs a logical fit for a team trying to stabilize its passing game.
For Indianapolis, the appeal is obvious enough to understand the interest, but the price tag is where things get uncomfortable. Downs is under contract beyond this season and would give any contender a useful boost on offense, yet the kind of return being discussed leaves the Colts weighing short-term draft capital against the loss of a young receiver who still has room to matter in their plans. [Read more 🡒]