You would think with 75 total points scored this was an exciting Thursday Night Football game, but it was not. The final score made the game look competitive, but this was all Colts all night. The Indianapolis running game ran wild against the Jets and, playing most of the game with a third-string quarterback, there wasn’t much they could do to have any hope in this one. Coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss last week, the Colts used a visit from New York to get back on track and get their groove back with a 45-30 victory.
Jonathan Taylor was the star in this game. Taylor carried the ball 19 times while racking up 172 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns. He had a 21-yard touchdown run that gave the Colts the lead in the beginning of the second quarter and they never looked back. He added a beautiful 78-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter that made the score 42-10 Indianapolis and he also added 2 catches for 28 yards, giving him 200 total yards from scrimmage. On the national stage, Taylor showed the world why he should be considered one of the best running backs in the league.
Nyheim Hines, Taylor’s counterpart in the backfield, also had a strong showing. He only carried the ball 6 times but turned those carries into 74 yards and added 4 catches for 34 yards, giving him over 100 total yards on the game. Hines got the scoring started in this game with a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to set the pace for the Colts.
Carson Wentz had a solid performance, going 22 for 30 for 272 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was efficient with his passes and was able to pick apart the Jets defense. For the 6th straight game, Wentz threw for multiple touchdowns, and he got back on track with zero interceptions after throwing 2 in the previous week.
The Jets week 8 star, Mike White, came into this game off the high of his 405-yard breakout performance, but unfortunately had to leave this game in the first quarter with a hand injury. After throwing a touchdown pass to tie the game at 7, White was shown on the sideline in discomfort trying to grip and throw the football. After the game White said his hand went numb and he was not able to grip the ball properly.
Josh Johnson came in to relieve White and finished the game 27 of 41 and a career-high 317-yards and 3 touchdowns. All 3 touchdowns came in the final 18 minutes against a defense playing soft. He almost led a 4th touchdown drive but a tipped pass with about 2 and a half minutes left landed in the hands of a Colts defender for a game-sealing interception.
Elijah Moore was the lone bright spot for New York as the rookie receiver had his breakout game. He caught 7 passes on 8 targets for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Jets have been trying to get the ball in his hands more since their bye week and the rookie didn’t disappoint in this one. He looks to be in the midst of a breakout and I’m excited that I put him in my starting lineup for my Scott Fish Bowl team!
Michael Carter had a lot of momentum coming into this game after back-to-back 100-yard games, but that streak came to an end against a tough Indianapolis run defense. Carter was held to 49 rushing yards on 13 carries and caught 2 passes for 37 yards. His backfield mate Ty Johnson only carried 4 times for 21 yards but added 2 catches for 40 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Other Notes:
Michael Pittman led Indianapolis receivers with 5 catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Jamison Crowder and Keelan Cole both had 5 receptions for the Jets with Crowder totaling 38 receiving yards and Cole chipping in with 66 yards.
There were 2 tight end touchdowns with Colts Jack Doyle getting a 1-yard shovel pass touchdown in the first half and the Jets Ryan Griffin scoring on a 13-yard pass in the 4th quarter after Tyler Kroft left the game with a chest injury.
Danny Pinter, a Colts backup center, provided us with a “big guy touchdown” in the 3rd quarter. He came in as an eligible receiver and snuck out into the flat for a 2-yard touchdown from Wentz.
That will do it for the week 9 Thursday Night Football Wrap Up. Make sure you head over to Razzball.com and check out Rudy Gamble’s Pigskinator as you get ready to set the rest of your week 9 lineup. You are always invited to follow me on Twitter @FantasyCoachJB and ask me any questions you may have. Good luck in your upcoming matchups!
