DISAPPOINTING AS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH DISCONTINUE WITH.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indianapolis Colts’ four-game winning streak had them just missing the brink.
The Colts’ ground game faltered once more, Cincinnati took advantage of Indy’s aggressive pass rush with three long screen passes, and even the special teams unit that performed admirably the week before collapsed in a 34-14 defeat.
The humiliated Colts (7-6) were already back at work on Monday, looking for a short-term solution.
After the Bengals used 54- and 46-yard passes to fuel their first two touchdown drives, defensive tackle and two-time Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner said, “We opened Pandora’s box (Sunday) for sure with the screen game.” “We need to examine our fits, visit the tape, and figure out how to bring the guys chasing the ball back inside the screens. We must quickly put out that fire.”
The biggest blow to Indianapolis’ chances of making the playoffs was not sustained by the team’s defeat.
The Colts (7-6) can increase their chances of making the postseason by defending their home field against the low-scoring Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The Colts are currently one game behind Jacksonville, who leads the AFC South. They are currently sitting in the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC.
However, for a team that had celebrated its many winning strategies over the previous month, the Cincinnati game was concerning.
The Colts used a late interception and late field goal to put away the Patriots and returned two interceptions for touchdowns to defeat Carolina. To overcome the Buccaneers, it required an unexpected fourth-and-1 play, a late strip-sack, and two brilliant pass plays in overtime. To overcome Tennessee, it required a late rally.
They were never in position to make a late, game-changing play on Sunday.
The turnover war was lost by them. Their touchdown was wiped out by a penalty. Matt Gay missed the extra point as well as a field goal. And against the Bengals and their backup quarterback, Jake Browning, the defense, which allowed an average of 16.8 points during the four victories, gave up more than twice that amount.
“We’re on the drive right now, but a penalty puts us back. Coach Shane Steichen stated, “We have another drive going, and another penalty moves us back.” “A lot of that stuff, Ameer (Speed) runs into (Isaiah McKenzie, the returner) on the punt. I was thinking, “Geez, Louise,” at the time.
The Colts can still make the playoffs. They must regain their advantage in order to remain there.
“It was just one of those days,” Steichen remarked. “I have full confidence that we´ll get it cleaned up, What’s effective
Michael Pittman Jr., WR. He has at least eight receptions in six straight games, but his third consecutive 100-yard game was just five yards away. Pittman is five catches shy of his first 100-reception season in a contract year and needs 16 yards to reach his second 1,000-yard season.
the bottom-up approach. The absence of Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 NFL rushing champion, is not the only factor contributing to Indianapolis’ problems. However, Taylor’s injury to his right thumb hasn’t helped. After surpassing 125 yards six times in its first eight games, Indianapolis has failed to rush for 80 yards or more in four of its last six games.
