Top 5 Graded Colts from Week 8 Loss to Saints

The Indianapolis Colts dropped their third straight game, but Pro Football Focus believes these players put together winning performances.

The Indianapolis Colts (3-5) lost their third consecutive game on Sunday, falling to the New Orleans Saints (4-4) 38-27. It was a rough day for the Colts' defense, giving up 511 yards of total offense to the Saints.

With a cornerback group decimated by injuries, Derek Carr was able to pick apart the Colts' secondary. Gardner Minshew also committed another turnover, his ninth in three games, leading to a potential 14-point swing. All in all, it was not the day the Colts had been hoping for.

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.) DT DeForest Buckner - 87.1 Overall Grade

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Collectively, the Colts defense put together one of their worst showings of the season on Sunday. But the blame should not fall on DeForest Buckner, who did everything he could to put pressure on Carr. Buckner finished the day with three tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble that resulted in the lone turnover of the day for the Saints.

Buckner was the highest-graded player for the Colts, with an overall grade of 87.1. The former All-Pro posted an elite pass rushing grade of 91.4 for his efforts against the Saints' quarterbacks. Buckner also posted tackling (69.6) and run defense (61.7) grades ranking in the top ten of Colts defenders.

Facing numerous double teams, Buckner still managed to have an impact against the Saints. Unfortunately for the Colts, Buckner cannot play all 11 spots on defense.

2.) OT Bernhard Raimann - 79.5 Overall Grade

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Bernhard Raimann is a player who can make the case for the most improved on the Colts this season. The second-year player out of Central Michigan has seen a considerable jump in play this season. Raimann continued his strong play against the Saints.

Raimann was the second-highest-graded player for the Colts on Sunday and the highest-graded offensive player with an overall grade of 79.5. The Colts' left tackle finished with the second-highest pass blocking grade at 80.3, allowing zero sacks and only three pressures on 44 pass plays. Raimann was also second on the team in run blocking, with a 74.7 grade, paving the way for 164 yards rushing for the Colts.

Currently, Raimann ranks as the No.10 offensive tackle in the NFL. It seems the Colts have found their franchise left tackle.

3.) DE Kwity Paye - 76.3 Overall Grade

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Buckner was not the only player on the Colts defensive line to make noise yesterday. Kwity Paye may not have gotten a sack against the Saints, but he stopped the Saints' running backs for little to no gain on multiple occasions. Paye tallied six tackles and a tackle for loss on Sunday.

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Paye turned in a solid 76.3 overall grade, the second-highest for any Colts defender. The run defense grade of 77.5 by Paye was also the second-highest on the team, recording two stops. His tackling grade of 75.4 ranked fifth on the team, as Paye did not miss a single tackle.

Paye has proven he can be a major asset against the run all season. If his pass rushing metrics can reach that same level, #51 will be a handful for opposing offensive tackles.

4.) DT Taven Bryan - 74.5 Overall Grade

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The loss of Grover Stewart in the middle of the Colts' defensive line has been felt over the past two games. However, Taven Bryan has stepped up and done his best to help fill the void. Bryan finished with two tackles in limited snaps along the interior of the Colts defensive line.

Bryan was the fourth-highest-graded Colts player on the day, with an overall grade of 74.5. The backup defensive tackle had a pass rush grade of 70.9, second only to Buckner on the afternoon. While not known for his run defense, Bryan was still the fifth-highest-graded run defender for Indy at 67.4.

Players along the interior of the defensive line will need to step up in Stewart's absence. Bryan is making the case that it should be him getting the lion's share of those reps.

5.) WR Josh Downs - 73.2 Overall Grade

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What a weapon Josh Downs has been for this Colts offense. The rookie wide receiver out of North Carolina continues to get better as the season goes along. Downs led the Colts in receiving once again, pulling in seven catches for 72 yards on Sunday.

Downs rounds out the top five highest-graded Colts by PFF with an overall grade of 73.2. His 74.4 receiving grade led all Colts wide receivers, the second week in a row the rookie has accomplished this feat. Despite only being 5-9, Downs recorded the highest run blocking grade of all Colts wide receivers at 62.9, showing his versatility.

Downs is proving every week to be a vital part of the offense. With quarterback Anthony Richardson set to return next spring, the combination of Richardson and Downs could be deadly for years to come.

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