4. Josh Downs came up with two huge plays in the fourth quarter.

With the Colts trailing by seven early in the fourth quarter, Downs accelerated away from Cardinals safety Budda Baker and flashed open in the back of the end zone, where Jones tossed him a pass on second-and-goal at the five-yard line. Downs tapped both feet in bounds and absorbed a thumping hit from Cardinals safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, impressively hanging on to the pass for his first touchdown of 2025.

Then, later in the fourth quarter, Downs had arguably an even bigger reception. Facing a third-and-eight at the Cardinals’ 12-yard line, and the Colts down by three with 5:48 to go, Downs motioned from a trips bunch formation outside the far numbers to just beyond the far hash, which successfully got him matched up against linebacker Mack Wilson Sr.

As Downs got into his route, he did a tremendous job setting up Wilson by not giving him a tell of if he’d run his route to the linebacker’s inside or outside. Downs, within the timing of the play, quickly accelerated to Wilson’s inside shoulder and away from the linebacker; Jones threw an accurate pass, allowing Downs to create more separation as he caught the ball. Downs quickly turned upfield, away from cornerback Akeem Davis-Gaither, and picked up nine yards – good enough for a first down.

“Those are matchups you want as a receiver,” Downs said. “Coach put me in a good position and allowed me to make a play.”

Running back Jonathan Taylor punched in the go-ahead – and ultimately game-winning – touchdown two plays later. If Downs doesn’t pick up that first down, the Colts tie the game; Arizona, then, only would’ve needed a field goal to re-take the lead and potentially win on the ensuing possession.

Downs, on his 26 receptions, has picked up 15 first downs; nine of those have come on third or fourth down. While Jones has trust in plenty of the Colts’ pass-catchers, he’s targeted Downs more than any player on third or fourth down (12 times; Tyler Warren has nine targets, Michael Pittman Jr. has seven).

And Downs’ nine first downs on third/fourth down receptions are tied for eighth in the NFL.

“He’s just a really smart football player, someone who’s going to make the right decision, feel the space and get there,” Jones said. “I think we have a lot of guys who do that. So, Josh has come up big in a lot of those situations, but I have a lot of trust and confidence in all our guys in those situations.”