The Indianapolis Colts have lost the turnover battle in each of the past two weeks, yet they have evened their record at 2-2.
asserted
they → lose → 2
Taking better care of the ball has to start with quarterback Daniel Jones, who has four interceptions and three lost fumbles.
asserted
who → take → interceptions
Only New England’s Drake Maye (nine) has more turnovers among QBs this season.
asserted
Maye → have → QBs
“I just met with him,” coach Shane Steichen said Monday.
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Steichen → meet → him
“We watched the game together, had conversations on those things and, like I said, I’ve got a lot of confidence in his ability moving forward. ...
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I → watch → ability
It’s one of those things.
asserted
It → ’ → things
When the play’s over, it’s over, right?
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it → ’ → ?
We don’t need to make something happen there if nothing’s open in those situations.”
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nothing → need → situations
Jones has had trouble protecting the ball in the past.
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Jones → have → past
He threw 22 interceptions and lost 17 fumbles in his first two seasons with the New York Giants, when he was 8-18 as the starter.
asserted
he → throw → starter
He committed only eight turnovers when he took the Giants to the 2022 playoffs and had only three when the Colts started 7-1 last season.
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Colts → commit → three
That’s typically how it works — fewer turnovers, more wins.
asserted
it → ’ → ?
Jonss also has been playing without injured receiver Alec Pierce since Week 2, missed reliable backup Ashton Dulin in Weeks 2 and 3 and played without six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen on Sunday.
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Jonss → play → Sunday
Recently signed Darius Slayton, who played with Jones in New York, hasn’t seen the field.
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who → sign → field
Jones knows the ultimate responsibility for avoiding turnovers lies with him.
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responsibility → know → him
“You’ve got to understand when to take a chance, when not to, when to protect the ball, when you have a chance to make a play,” Jones said Sunday.
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Jones → get → play
“I think all that is something you’re always studying and learning, and I’ve definitely got to do a better job taking care of the ball.”
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I → think → ball
What’s working
Run blocking.
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working → work → ?
Through Sunday’s games, Jonathan Taylor ranked fourth in the league in yards rushing with 353 and was third in rushing touchdowns with six.
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Taylor → rank → six
While he doesn’t have a 100-yard game this season, he has three 90-yard games and three games with two TD runs.
asserted
he → have → runs
What needs help
Pass blocking.
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needs → need → help
Jones is only part of the equation when it comes to turnovers.
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it → come → turnovers
Most have happened when Jones was trying to avoid pressure, sometimes under heavy duress.
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Jones → happen → duress
On the second snap Sunday, left tackle Benhard Raimann was driven backward into Jones’ path just as he was about to throw.
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he → drive → path
The ensuing collision jarred the ball loose and Washington recovered.
asserted
Washington → ensue → ball
Jones is finding Treadwell in key moments.
asserted
Jones → find → moments
A week ago, they hooked up on a completion that set up Indy’s winning field goal.
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that → hook → goal
On Sunday, they did it twice — a 9-yard completion to set up a field goal at the end of the half and an 11-yard pass that set up Taylor’s first TD run.
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that → do → run
He gave up two long catches and drew a penalty on third down to extend a Commanders drive.
asserted
He → give → drive
That’s not what the Colts expect from a player who cost them two first-round draft picks in a trade with the Jets last year.
asserted
who → ’ → Jets
Steichen said Monday that DE Arden Key will miss “some time” with a hamstring injury.
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Key → say → injury
Dulin also injured a hamstring Sunday, and LB Jaylon Carlies suffered a rib injury.
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Carlies → injure → injury
Key numbers
75 — Taylor rushed for his 75th career touchdown in his 88th game, tying him for the fifth-fastest to No. 75 in league history.
6
asserted
Taylor → rush → history
— Taylor also has a league-record six TD runs in international games.
asserted
Taylor → have → games
Up next
The Colts visit the Steelers on Sunday.
asserted
Colts → visit → Sunday
Indy has lost six straight at Pittsburgh, last winning there in 2008.
asserted
Indy → lose → 2008
The Aporia
