Whitehurst helps Colts beat Dolphins 18-12

The Indianapolis Colts today placed quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and guard Hugh Thornton on season-ending injured reserve.

“I was just happy to play and have a good time in front of my fans”. But Ryan Tannehill threw three incompletions and then was sacked by three Colts, with Robert Mathis leading the charge.

Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck exited Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with a shoulder injury and did not return.

By snapping their three-game losing streak, the Colts (7-8) still had flickering playoff hopes, although Houston’s 34-6 drubbing of Tennessee didn’t make matters anything but worse.

ABOUT THE COLTS (6-8): T.Y. Hilton took a direct shot at the coaching staff this week when the wideout told the Indianapolis Star that “the throws have been there, but we just haven’t been calling them”.

And if the Bengals win on Monday night, the 8-7 Texans will go into Week 17 with nothing to play for and can rest their starters before a playoff game. “Hopefully it goes our way, and we’ll have a fun week of practice and have something to play for next week”.

“I did OK, and I got a lot help”, Whitehurst said.

The best teams and the best quarterbacks – New England and Tom Brady being the prime example – excel despite constant turnover on the offensive line. Whitehurst had played at least one snap in each of the previous three games, with Hasselbeck in significant pain because of a pair of separated ribs – “It’s no joke and I don’t wish it on anyone”, he said – so it was not surprising Whitehurst was called upon again. Tannehill is the most sacked quarterback across these first 63 games, yet he gets up after every hit and is back in the huddle for the next play. “That’s something we have to fix”. It was the fourth time this year that Miami has taken a safety in what has been a disastrous season for the offensive line. Tight end Jordan Cameron catches a touchdown pass, could have been huge, but Jarvis Landry is penalized for offensive pass interference. He made seven catches – including a spectacular one-hand grab – for 111 yards.

The run defense was sound, limiting the Dolphins running backs to 54 yards on 24 carries.

The Dolphins are converting just 29.3 percent of the team’s third-down attempts, which creates a almost six minute time of possession difference this season and applies pressure on the defense.

The Dolphins also had an interception in the end zone when Tannehill failed to connect with Parker and was picked off by Vontae Davis, and an interception in the end zone on a failed two-point conversion. Hasselbeck’s recent injuries should be telling tell him that he does not have the physical endurance to play this game anymore.