The once-surging 5-2 Colts have now dropped two straight games, largely due to an MCL sprain of starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Last week, backup quarterback Brian Hoyer walked in vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and threw for three touchdowns and 168 yards in a devastating loss that included both the Brissett injury and a missed field goal in the closing seconds by future Hall of Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri.
On Sunday, Brian Hoyer got his first NFL start since he was acquired from New England. Facing a “tanking” Miami Dolphins team at home, the assumption was that Hoyer would be serviceable enough to secure a much-needed win for the then-first-place Colts. Hoyer managed only 204 yards on 39 dropbacks and threw three interceptions. The first one was very questionable and easily could’ve been a touchdown, but the second and third interceptions were forced and terrible reads. Hoyer’s performance coupled with a pedestrian outing for Marlon Mack (19 carries for 74 yards) leaves huge question marks heading into Week 11.
The 5-4 Colts are 2-0 in the division and face the Jaguars, Texans, and Titans in their next trio of games. With Hoyer at the helm and Chad Kelly as the backup, the Colts’ inspirational first half to the 2019 season is quickly turning into a Luck-less reality.
Indianapolis can only hope that Jacoby Brissett’s return is in the very near future.
