Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ worn-down, short-handed defense adding to late swoon
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts’ offense has sputtered all season. Now their protection has hit the skids, too.
Regardless of shedding three-time All-Professional linebacker Shaquille Leonard for all however 10 quarters due to accidents, the Colts’ protection was the crew’s energy for a lot of the yr. However extra absences to key playmakers coupled with the continuous offensive woes have lastly taken their toll.
“Dropping sucks. I’m not a fan of the place we’re,” interim coach Jeff Saturday mentioned Monday after shedding his sixth straight recreation. “We have now not finished in addition to I had hoped. I knew it was going to be laborious. However the frustration doesn’t change. These guys battle, and the outcomes should not good.”
Not even shut.
The Colts (4-11-1) have misplaced their final three to groups clinching playoff berths with these wins. And the final 4 losses have are available embarrassing style — permitting 33 fourth-quarter factors at Dallas, watching Minnesota rally from a 33-point halftime deficit to finish the most important comeback in NFL historical past, a clumsy prime-time loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and now a 38-10 loss to the New York Giants, which included Giants rookie linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrating only a few ft away from Nick Foles because the injured quarterback writhed in ache.
The rib harm will preserve Foles out of subsequent weekend’s season finale in opposition to Houston (2-13-1).
“Tasteless from the celebration afterward,” Saturday mentioned, acknowledging he would speak to his gamers about reacting in a different way if it occurred once more. “Simply trash, not a fan of all of it. Upset from the O-line perspective and from teammates on the whole. We defend our personal.”
Lots extra has gone mistaken for the Colts over the previous few weeks.
Indy has scored 49 factors within the final 13 quarters, given away two defensive scores throughout that very same stretch whereas enduring a 3rd and now a fourth quarterback change.
But the short-handed protection that performed so nicely for a lot of this season has turn out to be equally culpable for the Colts’ late swoon. Opponents have scored 130 factors throughout those self same 13 quarters albeit partly due to turnovers and the protection spending an excessive amount of time on the sector.
One recreation stays earlier than an offseason that guarantees to be filled with modifications — strikes Saturday and crew proprietor Jim Irsay hope can change the fortunes of this franchise.
“It frustrates the daylights out of me, the report is what it’s,” Saturday mentioned. “We’ve performed some shut video games however your report is what it’s, proper?”
WHAT’S WORKING
Zack Moss. The younger working again, acquired on the commerce deadline, has emerged as a constant producer. Since changing 2021 NFL dashing champ Jonathan Taylor (ankle), Moss has logged 51 carries for 220 yards and appears like he’ll a robust complement to Taylor subsequent fall.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Move safety. This season-long downside was uncovered once more at New York, although the numbers weren’t almost as poor as earlier weeks. Indy gave up two sacks, however Foles was below duress a lot that Indy generated simply 14 first downs and misplaced Foles for the remainder of the season.
STOCK UP
DB Dallis Flowers. The 25-year-old undrafted rookie made his first impression as a kick returner. He’s displaying he can play protection, too. After recovering a fumble at Minnesota, Flowers had a career-high 4 tackles Sunday.
STOCK DOWN
Foles. The Colts thought he might jump-start the offense. As an alternative, six days after taking a profession excessive seven sacks, Foles discovered himself flat on his again late within the first half and was ultimately carted into the locker room. It might be the ultimate chapter of an 11-year profession wherein he was named Tremendous Bowl MVP after serving to Philadelphia declare its first Lombardi Trophy following the 2017 season.
KEY NUMBER
2 — Indy’s offense has scored solely two TDs since coming into the fourth quarter at Dallas trailing 21-19 on Dec. 4. Opposing defenses, in the meantime, have matched that whole throughout that very same span. The Cowboys scored on a fumble return and the Giants scored on an interception return.
NEXT STEPS
There’s not a lot left for the Colts. Their season fell aside with 9 losses in 10 video games, a number of quarterback modifications, a training change and a change in play-callers. Indy has positioned itself for a top-five draft choose, probably permitting the Colts to discover a franchise quarterback. Saturday would love nothing greater than to finish this skid so he could make a stronger case to maintain the teaching job subsequent season.