The Colts walked into Week 15 looking to make a statement against the Seahawks, and while the scoreboard told one story, the tape - and the grades - told another. With Pro Football Focus offering a deeper look into individual performances, we got a clearer picture of who stood out and who struggled in Indianapolis' latest outing.
Let’s break down the Colts’ top and bottom performers from Sunday’s game, using PFF’s grading scale to help put things in context. Remember, while PFF grades aren’t the only way to evaluate a player, they do offer a solid snapshot of how someone played - especially when paired with what we see on film.
Top Offensive Performers
1. OT Bernhard Raimann - 81.1 (High Quality)
Raimann didn’t get to finish the game, but in the 34 snaps he did play, he was rock solid. He allowed just one quarterback pressure and graded well in the run game - exactly what you want from your left tackle.
Unfortunately, he exited early with an injury, and Shane Steichen addressed his status on Monday. His absence was felt, but his performance before going down was a bright spot.
2. TE Mo Alie-Cox - 79.2 (Good)
Alie-Cox didn’t see a single target in the passing game, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t making an impact. His 73.9 run-blocking grade tells the story - he was a key piece in opening up lanes on the edge and sealing defenders at the second level.
Sometimes the dirty work doesn’t show up in the box score, but it shows up on tape - and in the grades.
3. C Tanor Bortolini - 72.4 (Good)
Bortolini was clean in pass protection, allowing zero pressures, and chipped in with a 70.6 run-blocking grade. For a young center, that’s exactly the kind of steady presence you want anchoring the middle of your offensive line.
He continues to show growth in both the mental and physical aspects of the position.
4. RB Ameer Abdullah - 71.7 (Good)
Abdullah led the Colts in receiving - five catches on five targets for 32 yards. He was a reliable outlet and made the most of his touches.
While the ground game didn’t explode, Abdullah’s work in the passing game gave the offense some much-needed versatility.
5. WR Michael Pittman - 64.4 (Above Average)
Pittman hauled in three catches for 26 yards. It wasn’t a headline-grabbing day, but he did what he could with the opportunities he had.
His grade reflects a solid, if unspectacular, performance - but given how much attention he draws from defenses, even modest production can open things up for others.
Top Defensive Performers
The Colts’ defense did a good job bottling up Seattle’s run game - and that’s reflected in the grades, with three defensive linemen cracking the top five. The pass rush didn’t generate consistent heat, but the front held its ground against the run.
Julian Blackmon, Kenny Moore II, and Nick Cross were among the standouts:
- Nick Cross turned in a strong day against the run, racking up seven tackles. He was physical and active around the line of scrimmage. In coverage, he gave up four catches on five targets for 53 yards - not ideal, but he made his presence felt in run support.
- Kenny Moore II was a ghost in the best way possible - 28 coverage snaps and not a single target. That’s respect. Quarterbacks are steering clear of him, and that speaks volumes about his lockdown ability.
Lowest Graded Colts
1. Kana’i Ajiake
Ajiake only played two defensive snaps, so his low grade should be taken with a grain of salt. He gave up one catch for six yards - not exactly a game-changing moment, but enough to register.
**2. Chris Wormley & 3.
Adetomiwa Adebawore**
Wormley and Adebawore combined for 37 pass rush snaps but managed just two pressures between them.
That’s not the kind of disruption the Colts need from their interior rushers, especially when the edge isn’t consistently winning either. Both also struggled against the run, which compounded the issue.
For a defense that prides itself on controlling the trenches, those performances were a step back.
Final Takeaway
This was a mixed bag for the Colts. There were encouraging signs - particularly from the offensive line and some key defensive backs - but also some glaring issues in the pass rush and depth contributions.
As the season winds down and playoff positioning tightens, performances like these will need to be sharpened. The stars played like stars in stretches, but the margin for error is shrinking - and consistency, especially in the trenches, will be the key moving forward.