INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts (3-1) came into SoFi Stadium on Sunday with hopes of remaining undefeated and moving to 4-0, but left with disappointment after too many self-inflicted wounds led to a 27-20 defeat at the hands of the hosting Los Angeles Rams (3-1).
While this was the Colts' toughest test yet, it was a 60-minute affair in which they didn't allow their mistakes to send them into a shell, unlike previous iterations of the team.
There are no moral victories in a game that you essentially handed to the opponent, but there were some standout performances and milestones met throughout the contest.
The "Crunching Numbers" series is reserved weekly for acknowledging milestones and achievements reached by the Colts and their individual players after each game. The following achievements by the Colts were provided postgame by Colts Communications, unless listed otherwise.
STAT LEADERS
- Passing: QB Daniel Jones (262 yards)
- Rushing: RB Jonathan Taylor (76 yards)
- Receiving: WR AD Mitchell (96 yards)
- Tackles: S Nick Cross (14)
- Sacks: CB Mekhi Blackmon, DE Laiatu Latu (1.0)
- Takeaways: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore (1 FR)
- Kicking: K Spencer Shrader (2-of-2 FG [100%], 2-of-2 XP [100%])
- Punting: P Rigoberto Sanchez (4 punts, 52.3 net avg., 2 inside-20)
- Returns: WR Anthony Gould (4 kickoffs, 22.8 avg.) | WR Anthony Gould (2 punts, 15.5 avg.)
OFFENSE
Quarterback Daniel Jones was 24-of-33 passing (72.7%) for 262 yards (7.9 YPA), 1 TD, 2 INT, and a passer rating of 80.6. He also had 1 carry for -1 yard (-1.0 avg.). He also had 1 fumble.
- He has thrown for at least 220 yards in each game this season, which is the first time for the Colts since Andrew Luck in 2015, and just the seventh time overall in franchise history.
Running back Jonathan Taylor had 17 carries for 76 yards (4.5 avg.), and caught 5 receptions (5 targets) for 20 yards (4.0 avg.).
- It was his ninth consecutive game of 95-plus scrimmage yards, which is the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. had 5 receptions (10 targets) for 41 yards (8.2 avg.) and 1 TD.
- He is the first Colts player with a receiving touchdown in three of the first four games of the season since T.Y. Hilton in 2019.
Tight end Tyler Warren had 5 receptions (6 targets) for 70 yards (14.0 avg.), and 2 carries for 3 yards (1.5) and 1 TD.
- It was his first career touchdown. He's also the first Colts tight end to record a rushing touchdown since Trey Burton in Week 8 of 2020.
- Warren joined Alvin Reed as the second tight end in NFL history with at least 70 receiving yards in three of their first four career games.
DEFENSE
Defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore had 3 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 QB hits.
- It was his first-career fumble recovery.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon had 5 tackles and 1.0 sack.
- It was his first-career sack.
Safety Nick Cross had 14 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 QB hit.
- He now ranks third in franchise history among Colts defensive backs in games with at least 10 tackles (seven).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Spencer Shrader was 2-of-2 on field goals (100%) and 2-of-2 on extra points (100%), with 8 total points.
- His 52-yard field goal in the first quarter was a new career long
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.
COLTS SQUAD SHOW: Colts RUIN huge chance in L.A. | Colts fall to Rams, doomed by unforced errors
A 4-0 start was there for the taking for the Colts, but several critical mistakes by AD Mitchell and a two-turnover day from Daniel Jones cost them in a 27-2...