Colts lose 38-27 to Saints: Everything we know from Week 8

The Indianapolis Colts (3-5) lost 38-27 to the New Orleans Saints (4-4) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Despite going into halftime down just one point, the Colts defense struggled in the second half and an untimely turnover from Gardner Minshew shifted momentum into the Saints’ favor.

Here’s everything we know from the Week 8 loss:

Final Score: Saints 38, Colts 27

The game was over when...

The Saints were able to go up two possessions with a late field goal in the fourth quarter, icing any chances the Colts had to put together a game-tying drive on their final series in the fourth quarter.

Keys to the game

• The Colts defense allowed 511 total yards to the Saints offense, the most they’ve allowed in a game this season.

• The Colts defense recorded just 1.0 sack and two quarterback hits.

• Getting the start on the outside, CB Tony Brown struggled massively in coverage. He was the main reason Saints WR Rasheed Shaheed posted three receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown.

• The Saints were 3-of-4 (75%) in the red zone and were perfect in that area until the final drive of the game, which is when they kicked a field goal to make it a two-possession game.

3 Stars of the game

1. RB Jonathan Taylor: This looked to be a massive game for Taylor, who ripped off a 42-yard run on the second drive. He finished with 12 carries for 95 rushing yards, averaging 7.9 yards per carry against a tough defense.

2. WR Josh Downs: The rookie wideout continues to impress. He led the team for the second week in a row in receiving yards, posting seven receptions for 72 receiving yards.

3. LB Zaire Franklin: Playing through a knee injury he suffered early on, Franklin still led the way with 14 tackles (six solo), one pass defensed, and a few run stops.

Defensive struggles continue

The Colts defense had no answer for the Saints offense. This is the third game in which they’ve allowed at least 37 points in a game, and the 511 total yards allowed are the most this season. It’s also the first time this season that the defense allowed five touchdowns. While some injuries and suspensions have had an impact, the secondary is a massive question mark, and the pass rush was non-existent outside of a strip-sack from DeForest Buckner. The offense is doing its job as an explosive unit, but they have to be near perfect right now because of how the defense is performing.

Injuries

Quick Hits

• The Colts have now lost three consecutive games and four of their last five.

• With 95 rushing yards, RB Jonathan Taylor passed Marshall Faulk (4,001) for the second-most rushing yards by a Colts player in their first four seasons.

• The Colts remain the only team to score at least 20 points in every game this season.

• The Colts have lost 12 consecutive games in which they have committed a turnover

• This marks three games in a row the Colts have allowed at least 37 points in a game.

• RBs Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss combined for 23 carries for 161 rushing yards and a touchdown.

• QB Gardner Minshew now has nine turnovers over his last 12 quarters.

What's next?

Colts head coach Shane Steichen will meet with the media Monday for a conference call before the team prepares for the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers (1-6) at Bank of America Stadium.

Story originally appeared on Colts Wire