Indianapolis, IN
Colts Risers and Fallers from Crushing Loss to Texans
The Indianapolis Colts fell to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium 23-20. While the score indicates a possible nail-biter, the game was anything but that for Indianapolis. After an ugly offensive display from Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson against the Texans, it’s time to discuss the risers and fallers for the Colts after they dropped to 4-4 this afternoon.
Risers | Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs
While the Colts’ offense overall wasn’t good, running back Jonathan Taylor was a constant supply of progress for an otherwise weird game plan. Taylor had 20 carries for 105 rushing yards (5.3 average) and a score on the ground. The former Pro Bowler also had one grab for 12 receiving yards. After being sidelined for multiple weeks with an ankle injury, Taylor played fantastic football and didn’t miss a beat. While Taylor did have 21 touches, he could have probably shouldered more and helped a limping Colts offense get a win. There will be questions for Steichen’s offense and Richardson to answer after a disgusting showing, but not for Taylor as the top playmaker through eight weeks.
As for Josh Downs, he was the sole contributor in the receiving game, hauling in 4 catches for 109 receiving yards and a fantastic 69-yard touchdown from Richardson.
AR TO JOSH DOWNS 69 YARD TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/FAwklNvfjP
— Sideline Daily (@sideline_daily) October 27, 2024
Outside of Downs, no other Colts receiver or player recorded more than 1 catch. There isn’t much to write home about with the offense, but Taylor and Downs deserve their flowers for keeping the Colts’ offense within three points to conclude the contest.
Faller | 3rd Down Efficiency
The Colts’ offensive woes are reflected in their third-down efficiency. As arguably the most important down to convert, the Colts were dysfunctional, finishing 2/13 for a 15.4% clip. The Colts have the offensive weaponry to win these situations in Richardson, Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and Downs, yet it wasn’t meant to be against DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
Indianapolis must address multiple areas offensively but needs to convert third downs more often to get into more advantageous positions. With so much difficult competition ahead on the Colts’ schedule, this performance in key moments can’t continue, or the losses may start piling up.
Riser | Kenny Moore II
The Colts’ offense was inconsistent, but their defensive counterparts otherwise shined, and Kenny Moore II stood out in the secondary. The veteran defender finished with 7 tackles and 2 for loss, playing all over the field and getting stops when needed most.
It’s no surprise that Moore was efficient, and while the Texans didn’t have star pass-catcher Nico Collins (injured reserve), they still had Stefon Diggs for most of the contest and Tank Dell playing out of the slot. Along with another defensive player on this list, Moore earned recognition for another gutsy performance as one of the most reliable Colts stop troops.
What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!
Faller | Steichen’s Play Calling
Richardson was erratic throwing the football, finishing 10/32 (31.3% completion), but Steichen’s perplexing play calling must be called out. Starting with the passing game, Richardson was taking too many deep shots too often against the Texans. Given Richardson’s struggles with accuracy, giving him plays to push the ball downfield constantly doesn’t help with completing passes to gather confidence. There were multiple plays made by Downs but not much else was noteworthy from the passing attack.
As for the ground game, the lack of using Richardson’s legs raises eyebrows. Against the Miami Dolphins, Richardson essentially powered the ground game with 14 rushes for 56 yards. However, he only had 6 rushes for 45 yards and was left throwing more often than not. This can’t continue if Richardson is expected to survive as a QB especially given his talents as a runner are more developed than what he is as a passer.
Riser | Dayo Odeyingbo
Indianapolis’ defensive front pressured Stroud constantly on Sunday afternoon, but defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo had a monster performance. The former Vanderbilt Commodore recorded 4 tackles (3 for loss), 3 QB hits, 1 sack, and a fumble recovery. The other sack on the day was from a returning defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
It might go unnoticed by some, but Odeyingbo quietly leads Indianapolis this year in sacks with 3 and looked like a leader in the defensive trenches against Houston.
Dayo Odeyingbo is everywhere today for the Colts.
— Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL) October 27, 2024
With Odeyingbo approaching a contract year in 2025, he may be earning a re-signing if he continues to perform like this for the Colts.
Faller | Anthony Richardson
It’s not easy to say, but Richardson wasn’t serviceable as a quarterback against the Texans. While Richarson dazzled with a few throws to Downs and an explosive run, teams can’t win consistently in the NFL with QBs passing under 50%. However, Richardson was nightmarish with his accuracy in this one, finishing with an unacceptable 31.3% completion.
Richardson isn’t getting better in the pocket and Steichen must adjust his scheme to account for the QB’s development. Steichen can implement RPOs, quick reads, and easy decisions for Richardson, but his ideas have taken a step back against opposing coordinators in 2024. Indy can’t afford to keep sliding with the stretch of games ahead or risk falling completely out of playoff contention.
Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!
Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.
Indianapolis, IN
‘It’s all gonna go great’: Pat McAfee, Colts fans react to Ballard, Steichen returning
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is as frustrated as the fans. He understands the desire for change. But he believes in his team’s leaders.
Irsay posted on social media Sunday night, saying Chris Ballard will remain general manager and coach Shane Steichen will remain coach for 2025. The Colts just finished an 8-9 season and they haven’t made the playoffs for four straight years.
Steichen has an 17-17 record in two seasons as coach. Ballard has been with the Colts for eight seasons. The Colts have gone 62-69-1 over that span with two playoff appearances and no division titles.
“I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed,” Irsay wrote. “That means we all have a lot to prove, so we’ll get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan.”
Many Colts fans — notably former punter Pat McAfee — aren’t pleased.
Indianapolis Colts fans react to Jim Irsay’s statement that he’s retaining general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen
How drivers can prepare for bad winter weather
This video offers tips from the Indianapolis Department of Transportation to help drivers navigate bad winter weather conditions.
This story will be updated.
Meteorologists were predicting as much as 12 inches of snow in certain parts of Indiana as a strong winter system hit the state on Sunday.
The day’s first snowfall measurements began to trickle in as snow continued to plummet on Southern and Central Indiana into Sunday afternoon. Southern Indiana got the bulk of the storm, recording measurements up to 8.5 inches of snow as of 2:30 p.m.
Snow is expected to go through the area into Monday, meaning snow totals are likely to rise.
See how much snow the National Weather Service has recorded for cities in Indiana.
How much snow is on the ground Sunday?
As of mid-afternoon, these cities had the highest recorded snowfall totals in Indiana:
- Ferdinand: 8.5 inches (1:20 p.m.)
- Petersburg: 7 inches (11:29 a.m.)
- Saint Anthony: 7 inches (1:49 p.m.)
- Shoals: 5.6 inches (2:26 p.m.)
- Monroe City: 5 inches (2:12 p.m.)
- Bicknell: 4.5 inches (2 p.m.)
- Washington: 4 inches (2:31 p.m.)
- Indianapolis NWS site: 1.4 inches (1 p.m.)
- Speedway: 1 inch (1:45 p.m.)
Contact Alysa Guffey at amguffey@gannett.com.
The Indianapolis Colts (7-9) have one more opportunity to garner positive vibes as they close out the season against the AFC South division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
It’s been a disappointing season for the Colts, to say the least. On one hand, the playoffs are not a possibility, and there is an expectation from the outside that big changes need to be made in the offseason. There’s not much positivity to squeeze out of this matchup. On the other hand, outside of their captains, there are some guys who have every reason to put on a big performance as free agency awaits them.
Here’s how the Horseshoe Huddle staff sees things unfolding for the Colts in their Week 18 season finale matchup against the Jags. It appears the Colts “lost our locker room,” so to speak. What would’ve likely been a sweep in favor of the Colts prior to last week’s embarrassing loss to the New York Giants, two analysts picked the visiting Jaguars in an upset.
Sean Ackerman (@shnackerman): Going one game under .500 seems like a fitting record for the Colts this season. Inconsistency and poor decisions have cost the team playoff football, but they can still beat some bad teams. The Jaguars aren’t great, and it feels like the Colts could split for the season.
Pick: Colts 17, Jaguars 13
Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL): After last week’s debacle against the Giants, the Colts lost any trust I had left, but they do get another subpar opponent on Sunday, and it is at home. I’m incredibly reluctant to pick the Colts, but I do think they’ll get strong performances from guys like Jonathan Taylor, DeForest Buckner, and Kenny Moore II (who needs a bounce-back), while guys who could be playing their final game in Lucas Oil Stadium such as Ryan Kelly and Julian Blackmon, also give it all they’ve got. Against another bad team, that’ll be enough.
Pick: Colts 23, Jaguars 20
What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!
Jared Koch (@jjaredkoch): The Colts got embarrassed last week vs. the Giants to effectively kill their slim hopes of a playoff appearance for yet another season, and it feels like the current gloomy feelings around Indianapolis could snowball into another ugly loss during their final bout of the year. Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones is fresh off a solid performance in a win against the Tennessee Titans, and he could continue that momentum against a lacking Indianapolis defense– especially when facing a team looking unmotivated and demoralized after the events of Week 17. I’ve got the Jaguars making the surprise upset over the Colts.
Pick: Jaguars 24, Colts 20
Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL): The result of this game holds almost no weight for the Colts other than ending on a slightly high note for a victory. Instead, we should be focused on the performance of the younger players to gain momentum heading into 2025. Laiatu Latu, AD Mitchell, and JuJu Brents will all have my eye for this matchup. The Colts should get the victory before heading into an offseason that will likely be full of changes.
Pick: Colts 27, Jaguars 20
Drake Wally (@DWallsterDrake): The Colts are spiraling and don’t appear to have continuity or drive in that locker room. After falling to the worst team last week, nothing changes with a slightly better opponent despite playing at home. The Jaguars will defeat the Colts in their final game of 2024
Pick: Jaguars 23, Colts 21
Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.
Brady and Missouri State host UIC
Did This Montana Doctor Line His Pockets— While Killing?
Nebraska visits Thelwell and Iowa
Henderson Police investigate body matching description of missing 17-year-old girl
Obituary for Ann M. Slatky at Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
How Jimmy Carter Launched His Career and Cemented His Legacy in Atlanta
Biden takes departing jab at Trump, says he was a 'genuine threat to democracy'
The Take: What lies ahead for world politics in 2025?
Coldest air so far this season expected overnight in North Texas
New Orleans Attacker Visited City Twice and Made Trips to Egypt and Canada
-
Health1 week agoNew Year life lessons from country star: 'Never forget where you came from'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24982514/Quest_3_dock.jpg "Meta’s ‘software update issue’ has been breaking Quest headsets for weeks")
Technology1 week agoMeta’s ‘software update issue’ has been breaking Quest headsets for weeks
-
Business5 days agoThese are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture5 days agoThe 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports5 days agoThe top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics3 days agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics3 days agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics1 day agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?