ESPN Exposes the Unsung Heroes of Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are one game away from making an unlikely appearance in the AFC Playoffs.

Their meeting against the Houston Texans on Saturday is a play-in game for the AFC South rivals. Given the Colts’ 3-5 start and a slew of injuries, numerous players have had to step up and fill critical roles this season. ESPN’s beat reporters identified a player from each club who stepped up when it counted the most.

Stephen Holder, ESPN’s Colts beat writer, cheated and chose two, and choosing two had to be difficult. Holder went with Zack Moss as running back and E.J. Speed at linebacker.

“Although Moss tailed off later in the season, he was a revelation early on,” said ESPN’s Holder. “As of Week 5, Moss was third in the NFL in rushing, trailing only Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers and De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins.”

“With his patient and physical running style, Moss single-handedly made the Colts’ running game viable while they waited for their top rusher to return.” Moss’ performance may have decreased with Taylor’s return, but the ability to have both backs fresh down the stretch aided the Colts’ playoff aspirations in November. Since Halloween, the Colts have gone 6-2.

“Speed has had a significant impact since taking on the expanded role,” Holder said in a statement. “In the five games since Leonard’s release, he has averaged 10 tackles and provided the Colts with more range and impact as a pass defender.” He’s also had four tackles for loss in that time.” On November 21st, the Colts made waves by releasing Shaq Leonard. Speed demonstrated that the Colts’ faith in him was properly placed.

ESPN was certainly tempted to select quarterback Gardner Minshew as a player who stepped up. In the preseason, Minshew was given the opportunity to contend for the starting spot, but head coach Shane Steichen chose rookie Anthony Richardson.

Richardson appeared in only four games before being sidelined for the season due to a shoulder ailment. Minshew revitalized his career with the Colts, and the team would not have a chance to make the playoffs without his strong play this season. Minshew has the 11th best QBR in the NFL, trailing just Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, and Jared Goff.

He has 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions and a career-high three touchdown runs. Minshew has passed for 3,164 yards, which is 107 yards less than his career high established in 2019 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Minshew agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Colts prior to the start of the season. It’s safe to say he’ll more than double that next year. It would be prudent for Indianapolis to invite him back in 2024 to compete with Richardson again.

He’ll have other alternatives in a quarterback-depleted league. However, he chose the Colts because of Steichen and the chance, and those things, along with a sizable increase, may be enough to keep him in Indy.