The Colts are off to their first 3-0 start since 2009, with Daniel Jones steering a surprisingly efficient offense. But analysts warn the momentum may fade, telling Shane Steichen to enjoy the ride while it lasts.

“Regression is coming for Jones and this offense, which otherwise would rank among the best in Colts history. But it’s still going to be solid. Jones is not a star. He is not even consistently accurate. But he is a professional quarterback who knows how to prepare and handle the position,” wrote The Athletic’s analysts.

No one can question how good this offense (and Daniel Jones) is right now. Jones has racked up 3 passing TDs, 3 rushing TDs, 0 interceptions, with a 71.6% completion rate. But there are signs that those numbers might slow down a bit.

Daniel Jones’ impressive stats come with caveats. His high completion rate and QBR are boosted by smart play design, zone reads, quick throws, play-action, and a dominant run game led by Jonathan Taylor’s 338 rushing yards. But under pressure, the flaws emerge. His completion rate drops to around 50%, and off-target throws rise sharply.

The Athletic did toss Colts fans a lifeline, noting, “But he is a professional quarterback who knows how to prepare and handle the position.” And that’s the key difference. Jones knows how to manage the job, something Anthony Richardson never managed to do.

The Colts have had talent for years, but poor quarterback play held them back. Last season, they had 29 turnovers, third-most in the league. Now, with Daniel Jones at the helm, they’ve gone three games without a single turnover. Giving him control has unlocked the offense’s true potential, and even if the stats dip, Jones looks ready to adapt and keep things rolling.

And the Rams game might be the toughest challenge for the Colts so far, as they suffer a triple injury blow.

Colts suffer three injury blows

As good as things have gone so far for Shane Steichen, these injuries are going to give him a big headache. The most prominent absence would be that of Kenny Moore. He exited Week 3 after a sequence that began with what the club initially described as a calf issue. But after a few more tests, it has now become an Achilles issue that has surely ruled him out for week 4.

The team has not suggested that they want to move him to injured reserve immediately. The early word from the staff has been that the hope is a short absence rather than a season-long loss. But it’s an Achilles injury after all, and we all know how long that can be.

Alec Pierce is still stuck in concussion protocol after smacking his head on the turf in Week 3 while chasing a deep ball. He never cleared the steps during the week and was ruled out on Friday, and with concussions, there’s no real timetable. All you can do is hope that he clears the evaluation before Week 5.

As for young guard Matt Goncalves, the 2024 third-rounder turned starter is dealing with a toe injury that kept him out of practice all week. He is sidelined for Sunday, which means fellow rookie Dalton Tucker slides into the starting right guard spot.

Toe injuries can linger, so the Colts are likely to play it safe while Tucker gets an unexpected crash course in first-team reps.