Surprisingly, Pro Football Focus ranked the Indianapolis Colts as the team with the highest grade versus the New England Patriots.
The Indianapolis Colts (5-5) defeated the rival New England Patriots (2-8) 10-6 in Frankfurt, Germany, taking care of business.
When neither offensive was able to break through, the contest devolved into a defensive battle. The Colts secured the victory and moved back to.500 ahead of their bye week by combining a violent pass rush with smart defensive plays.
Pro Football Focus grades indicate that a number of players contributed highly to the Colts’ victory. The player with the highest grade, though, could surprise you. Let’s break down and evaluate the five Colts players that received the highest grades on Sunday.
1.) QB Gardner Minshew – 83.9 Overall Grade
On Sunday, Gardner Minshew found it difficult to move the ball against the Patriots defense. The Colts quarterback appeared to sense pressure early and missed throws, finishing 18 of 28 (64.2%) for 194 yards and an interception. However, the PFF graders had a slightly different perspective.
With an overall rating of 83.9 for his performance on Sunday, Minshew was the Colts player with the best grade overall. With an 83.6 passing grade, Minshew achieved the highest score of the season. Minshew, despite the interception when the ball was tipped, also did not account for any plays that warranted a turnover.
The movie demonstrates that Minshew’s performance and the grade are not equal. The graders appeared happy that the Colts were able to win, but if the team hopes to contend for a postseason spot, Minshew will need to play with more composure and accuracy after the bye.
2.) S Julian Blackmon – 82.5 Overall Grade
Only one Colts defender made the top five highest-graded list, despite the game being a defensive slugfest. That would be Julian Blackmon, who is still having a fantastic season as a safety. In the win, Blackmon recorded four tackles, two passes defended, and one interception.
Blackmon had an overall score of 82.5, making him the second-highest-graded Colt. The safety allowed only one reception on four targets and had a passer rating of 0.0, good for third-best on the team with a coverage grade of 82.3. With three of his four tackles counting as defensive stops, Blackmon got the highest tackling grade (81.6) among the Colts.
Blackmon has come alive after the position was changed from free safety to strong safety. The 2020 third-round selection is still making plays every week and is currently the NFL’s eighth-ranked safety. Blackmon might be preparing for a big springtime payoff.
3.) WR Josh Downs – 82.3 Overall Grade
Josh Downs had missed practice all week due to a knee ailment, which he was struggling with going into the Patriots game. Despite having fewer snaps than usual on Sunday, Downs nevertheless produced clutch plays. Almost 25% of the Colts offensive snaps were accounted for by the rookie wide receiver, who caught two passes for forty yards.
Downs concluded with an overall score of 82.3, demonstrating his clear and significant impact on the game. With an average depth of target of 19 yards, he caught two of his three targets, posting the best receiving grade of any Colts player at 79.1. When targeted, Downs yielded the second-highest QB rating on the club with 109.7.
As a rookie, Downs never ceases to amaze, turning in clutch plays when the chips are down. Now is the perfect opportunity to join the Downs movement if you haven’t already.
4.) OT Bernhard Raimann – 82.2 Overall Grade
Bernhard Raimann experienced a sort of homecoming on Sunday. Eighteen family members, the most of whom were witnessing the Austrian-born footballer play for the first time, were present. Raimann was especially driven to do well against the Patriots, and he did not let them down.
With an aggregate grade of 82.2, the left tackle in his second year had his greatest performance of 2023. Raimann allowed just one pressure in 28 pass blocking sessions, enough for the second-best pass blocking grade on the team (86.5). With a run blocking grade of 75.7, which was enough for third best on the Colts, he had another strong performance.
Raimann is still moving up the offensive tackle rankings. According to PFF, he is currently the No. 5 offensive tackle and might move up even more in the season’s last seven games. Before our very eyes, Raimann is rising to fame.
5.) OT Braden Smith – 80.8 Overall Grade
The other tackle on the Colts offensive line completes the top five. Braden Smith made a comeback following a four-week absence due to wrist and hip issues. However, the Colts’ right tackle picked up where he left off with ease.
Smith, who received an overall grade of 80.8, had a rough day. He dominated Patriots defenders in the ground game and finished with the highest run blocking grade (80.1) on the team. Even though he only gave up one pressure in 28 pass plays, Smith recorded the fifth-best pass blocking grade of 76.8 in the passing game.
Smith is ranked as the No. 10 offensive tackle in football, while Raimann is ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle in the NFL. With offensive line brilliance starting to resurface in Indianapolis, the Colts have swiftly assembled one of the best tandems of offensive tackles in sports.
