Texans at Colts, 1 p.m. Dec. 31, CBS

BALTIMORE — Here is the best and worst of the Indianapolis Colts’ 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

Thumbs up

>> OLB Jabaal Sheard: This was one of the finest performances we’ve seen from the first-year free-agent pickup. Sheard was never going to be a pass-rushing freak, and this season has shown that the Colts must invest in an edge rusher in the coming offseason. But there have been times this season when Sheard takes advantage of favorable matchups and manages to have a huge impact on the passing game.

Saturday was one of those times.

Sheard was a seemingly ever-present force in the Ravens’ offensive backfield, pestering quarterback Joe Flacco throughout the day. He did not notch a sack, but the pressure he applied was palpable. He altered some of Flacco’s throws, collapsed the pocket and batted down two passes.

If and when the Colts acquire a productive pass rusher, Sheard could be even more of a force as it will lead to consistent one-on-one matchups.

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>> CB Kenny Moore II: You’ll never guess who the Colts’ leading tackler was on Saturday. Yes, it was the 5-9 rookie cornerback from Valdosta State, Moore. His inclusion here is not to suggest his coverage was airtight. But Moore deserves credit for his physical play despite his lack of size. He’s shown a willingness to mix things up in run support and against bigger receivers and tight ends.

This is as big a part of playing cornerback in the NFL as any other aspect, and Moore does not appear to be lacking in this area.

>> Offensive line: Did you happen to notice how much time quarterback Jacoby Brissett enjoyed in the pocket? That was certainly not something we’ve come to expect, but Brissett could comfortably scan the field on Saturday and deliver the football without pressure because of the line's stout performance. Despite its lineup being in tatters, this group had one of its best games of the season against Baltimore’s physical defensive front.

With Mike Person starting for Ryan Kelly at center, and Le’Raven Clark playing right guard and Joe Haeg moving to right tackle (for the injured Denzelle Good), the Colts overcame the lineup changes. The run blocking was superb, too, with Frank Gore and Marlon Mack using wide running lanes to at least 4 yards per carry.

It was the running game and offensive balance that aided the pass protection, according to left tackle Anthony Castonzo.

“We were running the ball,” he said, “so they’re just not teeing off (against) the pass.”

Thumbs down

>> CB Nate Hairston: The Colts matched a season low with two penalties, and both came from the rookie cornerback. Hairston committed a defensive holding penalty and was flagged for interference on the same series in the fourth quarter.

The calls ended up being monumental.

Both came on third downs and prevented the defense from getting off the field. Those first downs ultimately set up a Ravens touchdown that proved to be the difference.

>> Wide receivers: Drops were a common theme, as they’ve been throughout the season. Kamar Aiken had another inexplicable drop, as did Chester Rogers. T.Y. Hilton had a borderline drop as well, though he at least acquitted himself with several clutch plays in a 6-catch, 100-yard performance.

It was Hilton’s finest performance in a Colts loss this season. His previous three 100-yard games came against the Browns, 49ers and Texans —– the Colts’ three wins.