Top 5 Graded Colts From Week 7 Loss to Browns

These are the Indianapolis Colts who showed out against the Cleveland Browns, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-4) lost a heartbreaker to the Cleveland Browns (4-2) 39-38 on Sunday. The loss marks the first time in 2023 that the Colts have lost back-to-back contests.

While it was a great game throughout the afternoon, questionable calls by the officials to end the game dominated the storylines, and rightfully so. Besides the officials, the Colts could not overcome four turnovers from Gardner Minshew to seal the victory.

Although the Colts did not get the win, numerous players performed at a high level, according to the grades from Pro Football Focus. 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.) S Julian Blackmon - 91.4 Overall Grade

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It was quite the day for the starting safeties of the Colts. That statement is especially true for Julian Blackmon, who consistently found a way to be around the ball. Blackmon was all over the field against the Browns, racking up five tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and an interception.

Just like he was two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans, Blackmon was the highest-graded player on the Colts with an elite 91.4 overall grade. The fourth-year player out of Utah was easily the best Colts' defender in coverage, with a grade of 90.3. Blackmon showed out against the run as well, with a team-high 77.4 run defense grade. His 81.4 tackling grade was good enough for third-best on the Colts.

Blackmon is having a bounce-back season in 2023 and is currently graded as the No.11 safety in the NFL. Blackmon is proving to be an impact player for the Colts' defense.

2.) WR Josh Downs - 84.0 Overall Grade

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Do not look now, but the Colts may have another star wide receiver in the making. Rookie Josh Downs continues to impress, becoming a weapon in Shane Steichen's offense. Downs had five catches for 125 yards and a touchdown against the Browns, leading the Colts in receiving.

Downs received the second-highest grade on the Colts this week, with an 84.0 overall grade. After tearing up the Browns' secondary, the rookie wide receiver had a team-best 82.7 receiving grade . He was also a friend of his quarterback, as Minshew had a perfect 158.3 QB rating when targeting Downs.

Downs is having a great rookie season and is on pace to finish just below the 1,000-yard mark this season. With how his production has continued to increase, Downs may just reach that thousand-yard threshold by season's end.

3.) S Rodney Thomas II - 82.6 Overall Grade

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While Blackmon had a tremendous day against the Browns, Rodney Thomas II was no slouch at the other safety spot. Thomas has been quiet so far in 2023, leading some to question if he should be benched. But the second-year safety turned in his best outing of the season at the right time, finishing with two tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception.

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Thomas was the third-highest-graded player and second-highest-graded defender for the Colts on Sunday, with an 82.6 overall grade. His coverage grade of 79.9 ranked second on the Colts, while his tackling grade of 71.6 was good enough for seventh. Thomas only allowed a 2.8 QB rating when targeted by the Browns' quarterbacks.

2023 has not been the season Thomas had hoped for. However, a performance like Sunday's may be just what he needs to get back on track.

4.) DE Tyquan Lewis - 79.3 Overall Grade

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Having depth along the defensive line is one of the keys to a good defense. Despite two devastating knee injuries in two years, Tyquan Lewis continues to come back and play winning football. The Colts' defensive end put pressure on the quarterback all afternoon against the Browns, registering three tackles, a tackle for loss, and a QB hit.

Lewis finds himself among the top-five highest-graded Colts once again, grading out at 79.3 on Sunday. Lewis ranked third on the team with a 72.5 pass rushing grade, the highest grade for any defensive lineman. He was also stout against the run, turning in the fourth-highest run defense grade on the Colts at 71.0.

Whatever the Colts have asked him to do, Lewis has stepped up to the plate. He may not get many headlines, but Lewis is a valuable member of the Colts' defense.

5.) WR Michael Pittman Jr. - 72.4 Overall Grade

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Rounding out the top five is a player whose passion for winning is unrivaled. Michael Pittman Jr. did not have many opportunities with the ball in his hands on Sunday, leading to public comments of displeasure. But Pitt did the most with those opportunities, catching two passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Pittman finished with a 72.4 overall grade for Sunday's performance, fifth on the team. His 70.1 receiving grade ranked second behind Downs despite only receiving two catches. Even though he was not involved much in the passing game, Pittman's run blocking grade of 86.2 ranked second on the team as well.

When the Colts lose, Pittman always feels he could have done more to help his team win. The fact that Pittman cares more about winning than individual stats shows how valuable he is for the Colts.

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