Colts QB battle: Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger struggle in preseason Week 2

The quality of play in the first half of the Colts’ second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings was nothing short of abysmal. Between Sam Ehlinger’s two interceptions and Jacob Eason’s lack of accuracy, the two young quarterbacks did not look as good as they did a week ago.

Ehlinger started the game, which came as no surprise. Head coach Frank Reich announced Ehlinger would get the nod last week before the Carolina game. While he ended the win against the Panthers on a high note, that success did not carry into this week.

Ehlinger finished 8 for 10 with 70 yards passing and a pair of interceptions. The first interception came in the first quarter on a ball that was tipped at the line of scrimmage and tipped again by Parris Campbell and returned for a touchdown by Minnesota. The second one also came off a tipped ball in traffic on a slant to Ashton Dulin.

Ehlinger wound up playing all the way up until roughly four minutes left in the second quarter.

Eason relieved the rookie late in the second quarter but failed to find success of his own. Eason was given the ball three times before halftime and failed to find any traction offensively. His throws seemed rushed, and while it was a late-half situation, he has to be able to throw catchable balls. Many throws were low and ended up incomplete.

In the second half, Eason looked better, but not great. However, many receivers dropped passes that should have been caught. Still, it does not excuse Eason’s struggles with patience and pocket presence. He finished 16 of 27 for 132 yards.

If Eason wants a shot at being named the Week 1 starter, he has to play better than he did Saturday night. Despite this, he was clearly better than Ehlinger and deserves to be under center in the regular season if Carson Wentz can’t play.