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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Kevin Hickey

Colts PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 2 win over Texans

Colts Dayo Odeyingbo Quenton Nelson Darrell Baker Jr EJ Speed Gardner Minshew Grover Stewart Kylen Granson Ryan Kelly Shaquille Leonard

The Indianapolis Colts (1-1) took care of business on the road in a 31-20 victory over the Houston Texans (0-2) in Week 2.

The offense moved very efficiently even after Anthony Richardson exited due to a concussion following the first quarter. The defense showed up in a big way to record six sacks and nine quarterback hits, and they tightened up in the red zone.

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Here are some of the highest and lowest PPF grades for the Colts from the Week 2 win, as well as a few other notable grades thrown in:

Top 5 offense

G Will Fries (90.3)
C Ryan Kelly (87.3)
QB Gardner Minshew (76.8)
LT Bernhard Raimann (76.5)
RT Braden Smith (74.2)

Fries had an exceptional game as a run-blocker and was solid in pass protection as well. The entire offensive line deserves praise for handling business while Minshew stepped in masterfully to take over for Richardson. It should be noted that Will Mallory was given an 88.3 grade, but he only played 11 snaps.

Bottom 5 offense

G Quenton Nelson (56.3)
WR Alec Pierce (56.0)
WR Michael Pittman Jr. (54.6)
TE Kylen Granson (51.4)
C Wesley French (46.6)

We’ll go ahead and agree to disagree on Nelson and Pittman Jr.’s grades. Nelson was fantastic in pass protection and is dealing with a toe injury while Pittman Jr. led the team in receiving yards. Granson found the end zone and continues to be a key piece in the passing game. It’s been a rough start for Pierce, who had just two targets, while French stepped in for Ryan Kelly at center when the latter exited due to a concussion.

Top 5 defense

DE Jacob Martin (82.7)
LB Shaquille Leonard (74.0)
DT Grover Stewart (73.3)
DE Kwity Paye (72.3)
DE Samson Ebukam (69.8)

The entire front seven dominated the majority of the game against a make-shift offensive line, which is what they’re supposed to do. Leonard saw a decrease in snaps but played well in both phases while Martin was limited to 18 snaps but still added a sack and two total pressures.

Bottom 5 defense

DE Tyquan Lewis (56.2)
LB Zaire Franklin (52.7)
LB E.J. Speed (48.5)
DE Dayo Odeyingbo (43.0)
CB Darrell Baker Jr. (33.0)

We’re not sure why Odeyingbo was graded so poorly. He had four total pressures, including a sack, while adding a forced fumble that turned into an offensive touchdown for the Colts on the next play. Speed had four run stops while Franklin had three so they probably played better than their grade suggests. Baker’s is accurate, however, considering the major struggles he’s put on tape to begin the season.

Top 5 special teams

DE Dayo Odeyingbo (92.8)
S Nick Cross (73.8)
TE Kylen Granson (68.6)
LB Grant Stuard (65.7)
S Trevor Denbow (65.1)

Odeyingbo played six special teams snaps—all on field-goal blocks—and earned a 92.8 grade. Cross and Stuard have been mainstays on special teams to begin the season.

Bottom 5 special teams

DT Grover Stewart (59.6)
TE Mo Alie-Cox (59.1)
RB Jake Funk (58.2)
LS Luke Rhodes (53.1)
LB Cameron McGrone (49.0)

Being the lowest-graded players yet still having these types of grades shows it was a solid day all around from the special teams unit. Rhodes was credited with a missed tackle, but that’s nothing to worry about.