INDIANAPOLIS -- A few thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts' 27-0 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals:
What it means: The Colts have tried for years to assemble a defense on par with their offense, but it's been a struggle each year to reach those standards. The defense is attempting to change that. It continued its dominating ways of late on Sunday by recording four sacks, holding the Bengals to 1-of-13 on third down, including 11 straight three-and-out possessions. The Colts were supposed to struggle without linebacker Robert Mathis, but that’s been far from the case. They have 20 sacks during their five-game winning streak. Sunday was their first shutout since the 2008 season. The Colts' offense, meanwhile, struggled early on, as both of their main running backs, Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw, fumbled in the first half. But they got it going in the second half by scoring 17 points. Quarterback Andrew Luck finished 27-of-42 for 344 yards and two touchdowns.
Stock watch: The ageless Reggie Wayne continues to prove he can get it done. He extended his streak of at least three receptions in a game when he caught four passes. He also became the ninth receiver in NFL history with at least 14,000 yards receiving.
Struggles on third down: The Bengals weren’t the only team that had a difficult time getting first downs on third down. The Colts didn’t convert their first third down until Luck found tight end Coby Fleener for a 26-yard completion early in the third quarter. The Colts finished 5-of-13 on third down.
Richardson leaves game: Richardson appeared to be on his way to having his first 100-yard game rushing as a Colt until a hamstring injury knocked him out in the fourth quarter. He finished with 77 yards on 14 attempts.
Game ball: You can't single out one player when the defense blanks a team. That's why the whole defense gets a game ball. The unit held the Bengals to 135 yards on total offense and limited them to only 20 minutes on the field.
What’s next: The Colts head on the road to play another AFC North team, this time the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Oct. 26.
