Pro Football Focus believes the Indianapolis Colts beat the Tennessee Titans due to their pass catchers and pass rush.
by Andrew Moore
The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) pulled off a thrilling overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans (4-8) 31-28 to complete the season sweep and win their fourth straight game.
It was a back-and-forth battle between the AFC South rivals that saw incredible special teams play turn the game around for the Colts. When crunch time arrived, wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce sealed the game with big-time plays in overtime.
According to the grades from Pro Football Focus, numerous players performed at a high level in the Colts’ win. Let’s dissect the five players who graded out the highest for the Colts on Sunday and analyze their performances.
Note: The player must have played at least 25% of the snaps to be eligible.
1.) TE Kylen Granson – 91.8 Overall Grade
Throughout the Colts’ four-game winning streak, Kylen Granson has not been much of a factor. That all changed on Sunday as Granson had arguably his best performance of 2023. The third-year tight end finished with three catches for 72 yards on the day.
Granson was the highest-graded player for the Colts in Week 13, with an elite overall grade of 91.8. His 91.0 receiving grade was easily a team-best after he hauled in all his targets, resulting in multiple explosive plays. Granson also had the fourth-best run blocking grade on the team at 68.1.
It has been an up-and-down year for Granson, but the tight end executed at a very high level against the Titans. Hopefully, his performance on Sunday can springboard into similar games down the stretch.
2.) DE Samson Ebukam – 86.5 Overall Grade
After a two-sack performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, Samson Ebukam was back for more. Ebukam gave the Titans’ offensive line trouble all afternoon, making it difficult for Will Levis to get into a rhythm. Ebukam tallied six tackles, a tackle for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble on Sunday.
Ebukam was the Colts’ highest-graded defender and second-highest-graded player against the Titans, with an overall grade of 86.5. His 74.8 run defense grade was a team-high after four of Ebukam’s six tackles counted as defensive stops. The two sacks and forced fumble registered by Ebukam aided in a 77.8 pass rushing grade, second-best on the Colts.
The Colts pass rusher continues to climb the rankings, with Ebukam now ranked as the No.12 edge defender in the NFL. The free agent signing looks better by the week as Ebukam becomes a menace on the defensive line.
3.) DE Kwity Paye – 83.2 Overall Grade
Ebukam was not the only Colts’ pass rusher with a dominant performance against the Titans. Kwity Paye was unblockable at times on Sunday, giving the Titans’ offensive line fits. Paye racked up six tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles in the win.
The third-year pass rusher finished as the third-highest-graded Colt on Sunday, with an overall grade of 83.2. Paye dominated as a pass rusher, earning him an elite 90.5 pass rushing grade with pairs of sacks and forced fumbles. He also registered a 74.6 tackling grade, ranking sixth on the Colts, as Paye did not miss a tackle on Sunday.
Paye is having a breakout campaign in 2023. Combined with Ebukam, the Colts quietly have one of the better pass rushing duos in the NFL.
4.) DE Tyquan Lewis – 80.0 Overall Grade
When three pass rushers are in the top five highest-graded players, you know the defensive front was on another level. Enter Tyquan Lewis, who joined Ebukam and Paye in getting after the Titans’ offensive line. Lewis had three tackles and a tackle for loss in the win.
Lewis was the fourth-highest-graded player for the Colts, scoring an 80.0 overall grade. Lewis registered the second-best run defense grade at 73.5, with two of his three tackles qualifying as stops. His 70.4 pass rushing grade ranked fourth on the Colts, as Lewis registered six pressures on Levis.
The Colts’ pass rush is having tremendous success because of players like Lewis. Indy has built a tenacious unit with multiple players who can get after the quarterback on every play.
5.) WR Michael Pittman Jr. – 77.4 Overall Grade
Rounding out the top five is the player who dominated the Titans’ defense all afternoon. Pittman ate up the secondary and was the primary playmaker for the Colts offense. WR1 finished the day with 11 catches for 105 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Pittman was the fifth-highest-graded Colt, with an overall grade of 77.4. His 78.2 receiving grade was the second-best mark on the Colts after team-highs in targets, catches, and yards. Pittman also had a drop grade of 78.7 after recording zero drops on the day.
Pittman is proving each week how important he is to the Colts offense. He has earned a massive contract extension, and Indy will likely have no problem paying Pittman what he deserves.
Originally posted on Horseshoe Huddle on FanNation