Top 5 Graded Colts From Week 6 Loss to Jaguars

The Indianapolis Colts (3-3) continued their losing streak in Duval County as they fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) 37-20. The loss by the Colts marks the ninth-straight defeat to the Jaguars in Jacksonville and gives the Jags sole possession of first place in the AFC South.

The Colts could not dig themselves out of the giant hole they made after four turnovers by Gardner Minshew. However, despite giving up 37 points, the Colts only allowed 233 yards, signifying the short fields and challenges the defense faced all afternoon.

Pro Football Focus recognized the play of the Colts' defense, with defenders dominating the top grades from Sunday afternoon. Let's look at 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.) LB E.J. Speed - 86.8 Overall Grade

E.J. Speed saw a drop in his snaps with the return of Shaquille Leonard against the Jaguars. However, Speed made the most of his time on the field in 27 snaps. While the linebacker finished with just two tackles and one tackle for loss, the stat line does not do his performance justice.

Speed was the highest-graded member of the Colts in Week 6, with an 86.8 overall grade. He was the fourth-highest defender against the run at 76.6. Speed excelled against the pass, leading the Colts in both pass rushing grade (68.8) and pass coverage (75.8).

The Colts signed Speed to a contract extension this spring, and he is quickly delivering on that extension as he adds another element to one of the best linebacking cores in the NFL.

2.) DE Tyquan Lewis - 81.6 Overall Grade

The Colts were able to get after Trevor Lawrence for three sacks on Sunday. Tyquan Lewis was one of the three Colts with a sack, putting pressure on Lawrence. Lewis only played 18 snaps, but the backup pass rusher still tallied two tackles, a tackle for loss, and a QB hit to go along with the sack.

Lewis finished with an 81.6 overall grade, his best mark of the year. Lewis, like Speed, made the most of his limited snaps, finishing as the fifth-highest Colt in run defense (74.4) and tackling (70.2). Getting his first sack of the season, it is no surprise Lewis received the second-highest pass rushing grade of 68.6.

Lewis does not play a huge role on the Colts' defense, but he is a solid rotational pass rusher that the Colts can rely on to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks when he is in the game.

3.) DT Taven Bryan - 77.2 Overall Grade

Lewis was not the only rotational defensive lineman to have an impact on Sunday. Taven Bryan, a former Jaguar himself, also had his best game of the season. The backup defensive tackle had three tackles and a tackle for loss against his former team.

Bryan was the third-highest-graded Colt this past weekend with a 77.2 overall grade. Normally not his strong suit, Bryan was stout against the run with a 77.9 grade. Bryan was also a sure-handed tackler against the Jaguars with a 70.2 grade.

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Bryan has been a key backup in the middle of the Colts' defensive line this season. While DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are the stars in the middle, Bryan is proving to be a great depth piece for the Colts' defense.

4.) LB Shaquille Leonard - 75.6 Overall Grade

After missing a game with a groin injury, Leonard returned to the field against the Jaguars. While Leonard's return did not result in a win, the former All-Pro played his best game of the 2023 season. Leonard finished with seven tackles and a tackle for loss, flying all over the field.

Leonard finds himself back in the top five of highest-graded Colts with a 75.6 overall grade. Leonard was a monster against the run, leading the Colts with an 86.7 run defense grade. The linebacker also posted the third-highest pass rushing grade for the Colts at 59.1.

Sunday's game was a step in the right direction to getting Leonard back to form. More performances like this, and we may see the return of "The Maniac" after all.

5.) OT Blake Freeland - 75.4 Overall Grade

The Colts have had to start rookie Blake Freeland the past three games due to injuries to Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith. While Freeland has had his ups and downs, Sunday was the best game of the offensive tackle's young career.

Freeland was the highest-graded offensive player for the Colts against the Jaguars and fifth overall, with a grade of 75.4. Freeland was easily the best run blocker for the Colts, with a grade of 87.4. On the flip side, the rookie did struggle in pass protection with a 64.6 pass blocking grade. Freeland allowed six pressures, five hurries, and a sack in 63 pass blocking snaps.

Freeland is still a work in progress. However, he has continued to get better each game he has started and earned valuable experience that will help him be a reliable depth piece for the Colts' offensive line.

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