NFL Week 1 highlights: Lions beat Rams in overtime; Bears, Bucs secure wins
SEPTEMBER 9
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 5-7 · 2ND IN AFC SOUTH
5-7 · 2ND IN AFC SOUTH
Next Game at Patriots · Sun 6:00PM
IND -2.5 TOTAL 42.5
NFL Week 1: What we learned from all 13 games on Sunday
FOX Sports' NFL experts break down what we learned from every game on Sunday and provide analysis on what it means for every NFL team.SEPTEMBER 9
Adonai Mitchell - Five targets in NFL debut Mitchell caught one of five targets for two yards in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Impact The rookie wideout didn't make an impact in his NFL debut, but Mitchell had opportunities to do so and got overthrown by Anthony Richardson -- including on what would have been a wide-open touchdown in the second quarter. Mitchell finished second on the Colts in targets, but it's not clear how big a role he'll have when Josh Downs (ankle) gets healthy. Mitchell will try to establish more chemistry with his QB in Week 2 against the Packers.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Michael Pittman Jr. - Four grabs in loss to Houston Pittman caught four of eight targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Impact The fifth-year wideout led the Colts in catches and targets, but Pittman wasn't able to do much with the volume as his longest reception went for only 13 yards. Anthony Richardson and the Colts' passing game struggled to sustain drives in the team's opener, but Pittman's role is encouraging for his future production. He'll look to do more damage in Week 2 against the Packers.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Alec Pierce - Big day in Sunday's loss Pierce caught all three of his targets for 125 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Impact The third-year wideout made a huge impact as a deep threat for Anthony Richardson, hauling in a 60-yard TD in the first quarter and adding a 57-yard reception in the fourth on the Colts' final scoring drive. Seven of Pierce's 76 career catches have gone for 40 yards or more, an impressive ratio that seems likely to get even better if Richardson stays healthy this season. In Week 2, Pierce will take aim at a Packers secondary that gave up plenty of big plays to the Eagles in its opener.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Jonathan Taylor - Finds end zone in loss Taylor carried the ball 16 times for 48 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Impact The fifth-year player was the only Colts running back to get a touch in the game, and while QB Anthony Richardson led the team in rushing yards with 56, Taylor capped his day with a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Taylor could be in line for a much bigger performance in Week 2 against a Packers defense that got gashed for 132 scrimmage yards and three TDs by Saquon Barkley in its opener.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Richardson - Produces three TDs in loss Richardson completed nine of 19 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans. He added 56 rushing yards and a TD on six carrie...
Impact Seeing his first game action since last October, Richardson struggled with his accuracy at times but also flashed the big-play ability that made him the fourth overall pick in the 2023 Draft. The 22-year-old QB showed off his big arm on a 60-yard touchdown to Alec Pierce in the first quarter and a 54-yard TD strike to Ashton Dulin in the fourth, and Richardson then displayed his scrambling ability with a three-yard touchdown run late in the game. He also wasn't at fault on his second-quarter interception in the red zone, as Kylen Granson stumbled on his route. Richardson will look to build on this performance in a Week 2 road tilt against the Packers.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Anthony Richardson shows off strong arm but lacks consistency in Colts' 29-27 loss to Texans
Quarterback Anthony Richardson showed everyone what the Indianapolis Colts learned while drafting himSEPTEMBER 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Spencer Shrader - Doesn't attempt field goal Sunday Shrader converted all three of his extra-point tries but did not attempt a field goal in Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Texans.
Impact Matt Gay (hernia) was unable to practice leading up to Week 1, which prompted the Colts to promote Shrader from the practice squad. Shrader didn't end up attempting a field goal in Sunday's loss, though he was perfect on all of his extra-point attempts. Shrader will likely be elevated to the active roster for Week 2 against the Packers if Gay is unable to participate in practice.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Won in the trenches 💪
SEPTEMBER 8 • YOUTUBE
Texans win! Highlights vs. Indianapolis Colts | 2024 Regular Season Week 1
SEPTEMBER 8 • YOUTUBE
Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon combine to lead Texans past Colts 29-27 in season opener
Stefon Diggs caught two touchdown passes and Joe Mixon rushed for 159 yards and another score to help the Houston Texans close out a 29-27 victory at IndianapolisSEPTEMBER 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Will Mallory - Inactive against Houston Mallory is inactive for Sunday's game against Houston.
Impact With Mallory inactive and Jelani Woods out for the season with a toe injury, Indy's tight-end group has been narrowed to Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree. Mallory could still enter the mix at some point this season.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Dallis Flowers - Inactive against Houston Flowers is inactive for Sunday's game against Houston.
Impact Flowers was one of the Colts' top cornerbacks in 2023 before tearing his Achilles in Week 4, but was healthy at the start of training camp. He then had a hamstring issue but wasn't on the injury report last week as he participated in practice. It's hard to tell if the Colts are just easing Flowers into action or if he's fallen down the depth chart after some struggles in the preseason.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Spencer Shrader - Set for kicking duties Shrader is in line to assume kicking duties for the Colts in Week 1 against the Texans after Matt Gay (hernia) was declared inactive.
Impact Shrader was called up from the practice squad Saturday, and the rookie out of Notre Dame will now make his NFL debut. During his fifth collegiate season with the Irish, Shrader converted on 15 of 22 field-goal attempts and 61 of 62 extra points. While the accuracy wasn't tremendous, he did connect on four kicks of 50-plus yards that season.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Gay - Inactive for opener Gay (hernia) is inactive Week 1 against the Texans.
Impact The writing was on the wall when Indianapolis activated fellow place kicker Spencer Shrader from the practice squad Saturday, and now Shrader is in line to officially assume kicking duties Sunday. Gay's next chance to return will be Week 2 in Green Bay, but the first step will be returning to the practice field -- something he was unable to accomplish in the three team practices leading up to the opener.
SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE
How to Watch Colts vs. Texans: Time, TV Channel and Live Stream – 2024 Week 1
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 1 Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans game, Sunday, Sept. 8.SEPTEMBER 7 • DATA SKRIVE
Packers must figure out how to win without Jordan Love for now while they await his return
The Green Bay Packers wasted a golden opportunity to start their season on a winning note with Jordan Love running their offenseSEPTEMBER 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Spencer Shrader - Added to active roster Shrader was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against Houston.
Impact Matt Gay missed practice all week after undergoing surgery on a sports hernia following Indianapolis' last preseason game Aug. 22. Shrader's promotion would appear to indicate Gay will not play Sunday, but we won't know for sure until inactives are announced about 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Texans vs. Colts 2024 Prediction, Odds, Picks - Sep 8
Preview the Week 1 matchup between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and m...SEPTEMBER 6 • DATA SKRIVE
Matt Gay - Status in question for Sunday Gay (hernia) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Texans.
Impact Gay has been in recovery mode since undergoing surgery on a sports hernia following Indianapolis' last preseason game Aug. 22. He didn't practice at all this week, but the team still is giving him a chance to serve as its placekicker Sunday. Coach Shane Steichen told JJ Stankewitz of the Colts' official site Friday that Spencer Shrader will handle kicking duties this weekend if Gay is deemed inactive about 90 minutes before a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.
SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Alec Pierce - Could take Downs' spot Week 1 Pierce is set to play an increased role Sunday against the Texans, as JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports that Josh Downs (ankle) has been ruled out.
Impact Pierce is the top candidate to start on the outside across from Michael Pittman, as rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell is likely to play primarily in the slot. Pierce has seen plenty of playing time in his first two seasons but has often been used as a decoy to stretch the field without getting substantial target volume, as he finished short of 600 receiving yards and scored only two touchdowns in each campaign.
SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Adonai Mitchell - Poised for decent volume in debut Mitchell could see additional targets Sunday against the Texans, as JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports that Josh Downs (ankle) has been ruled out.
Impact Mitchell's likely to play primarily in the slot, but there will likely be more opportunities for both the rookie second-round draft pick and Alec Pierce alongside Michael Pittman in Downs' absence. Mitchell showed promising chemistry with quarterback Anthony Richardson as they connected for a touchdown in the preseason finale, and they will look to carry that success over into the regular season.
SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Josh Downs - Out for Sunday's game Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs (ankle) is out for Sunday's season opener against the Texans.
Impact Downs was able to do some individual movement drills off to the side during Friday's practice, but he won't be ready for Week 1 action and will thus target a potential return Sept. 15 against the Packers. In his absence versus Houston, fellow WRs Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce should see added opportunities behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.
SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
Matt Gay - Looking unlikely for Sunday Gay (sports hernia) is not participating in Friday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Impact Gay hasn't practiced in any capacity this week while recovering from sports hernia surgery, making him look like a strong candidate to sit out Sunday's regular-season opener against the Texans. Friday's official practice report will reveal Gay's injury designation for Week 1. If Gay can't go, undrafted rookie Spencer Shrader will work as Indianapolis' starting kicker versus Houston.
SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE
