Spencer Shrader scored 16 of the Indianapolis Colts' 22 points on Sunday. That's massive for Shrader, but it's a pretty ugly reflection of where this offense is right now.
While Tyler Warren continued to establish himself as a legitimate offensive weapon, the defense had another afternoon to forget in Pittsburgh.
There weren't many bright spots in this 34-22 loss, but a few players managed to separate themselves from the rest.
Here's whose stock is rising and falling after Week 5.
Riser: Tyler Warren
It’s clear why Shane Steichen keeps finding ways to get Warren the ball.
The second-year TE led Indianapolis with seven catches for 83 yards, including a physical 29-yard gain, and scored the Colts' only touchdown on a one-yard run.
With Jonathan Taylor held to 45 yards on 15 carries, Warren was practically the engine of this offense. His versatility and nose for the end zone are becoming impossible to ignore.
Riser: Spencer Shrader
I don't know how much more you can ask from this guy.
Shrader drilled all five field-goal attempts, including kicks from 57 and 56 yards, accounting for 16 of Indianapolis' 22 points and tying a franchise record.
He's now a perfect 16-for-16 on field goals this season. Every time the offense stalled, Shrader made sure the Colts walked away with something.
Riser: Sauce Gardner
After his ugly showing in London, Gardner needed a bounce-back performance. He delivered.
Gardner allowed just one catch for nine yards against Pittsburgh and earned a 68.2 defensive grade, via PFF.
He was outspoken about his effort last week, and you could tell making a statement mattered to him. This looked much more like the cornerback Indianapolis traded for.
Faller: Akeem Davis-Gaither
There's really no way to sugarcoat this one. Davis-Gaither struggled in both run defense and coverage.
He finished with seven tackles and a tackle for loss, but his 38.5 overall grade, via PFF, was the lowest on the team.
Missed tackles and receptions allowed made for a rough afternoon, and for the guy wearing the green dot, Indianapolis needs a whole lot more.
Faller: DeForest Buckner
Buckner finished with six tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. But those numbers don't tell the whole story.
He posted one of the Colts' lowest run-defense grades Sunday, and his season-long mark sits at 49.8, via PFF.
After an impressive start to the season, this felt like a step back from someone Indianapolis needs anchoring its defensive front.
Faller: Laiatu Latu
Latu didn't record a tackle against Pittsburgh, and while he batted down two passes, he was once again ineffective rushing the passer.
Through five games, the former first-round pick has just one sack and 14 pressures. After 8.5 sacks last season, I expected him to take another step forward.
Instead, we're once again questioning whether Chris Ballard got enough out of a premium edge-rusher draft pick.
At 2-3, the Colts head home to face Tennessee with plenty to clean up. The offense needs to start finishing drives, and the defense desperately needs more players to step up.
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