Irsay: Colts’ ‘ugly win is a beautiful thing’

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts needed to placed on an entertaining prime-time present Thursday evening.

As a substitute, they turned most soccer followers off with one other dismal offensive efficiency. They allowed six extra sacks, had two extra turnovers and failed to attain a landing for the second time this season. However the Colts nonetheless gained 12-9 in time beyond regulation in Denver.

“An unpleasant win is a wonderful factor,” team owner Jim Irsay posted on Twitter.

The league’s lowest-scoring offense has a couple of further days to discover a repair — its subsequent sport isn’t till Oct. 16. And the fact is that if the Colts can’t change their ghastly numbers, they gained’t make the playoffs.

Indy (69) and Chicago (64) are the one NFL groups to attain fewer than 70 factors this season — and the Bears can break free from the pack Sunday.

The Colts enter this weekend tied with New Orleans for the league’s most giveaways (11). Quarterback Matt Ryan has 11 fumbles, matching the second-highest single-season whole of his 15-year profession. He’s one in need of a single-season profession excessive and on tempo for 37, which might shatter the NFL file (23).

And whereas the Colts (2-2-1) performed with out injured defending dashing champ Jonathan Taylor and misplaced his alternative, Nyheim Hines, to the concussion protocol earlier than most individuals tuned in Thursday, their offensive line is in shambles. It’s given up a league-worst 21 sacks.

What’s mistaken? What isn’t?

“We’re clearly in a hunch of scoring factors, the details are the details,” coach Frank Reich mentioned of Indy’s seven-game streak of scoring 20 or fewer factors. “There are quite a lot of issues that go into that — play-calling is definitely considered one of them. I’m at all times evaluating that.”

Indy climbed again to .500 and clawed its manner again into the postseason image by making discipline targets within the waning seconds of regulation and on the primary drive of time beyond regulation.

However with out Stephon Gilmore’s interception with a little bit greater than two minutes left in regulation or his cross break up on the sport’s last play — each in the long run zone to thwart the Broncos’ scoring probabilities — the Colts wouldn’t have been celebrating.

They’d have spent the remainder of this season chasing others as they’ve performed the previous few seasons.

So Reich and his workers will spend this extra-long weekend mulling options.

“That’s not a ok offensive efficiency,” he mentioned. “It was ok final evening. I do know no one desires to listen to that however that’s the actual fact. It was ok final evening when it needed to be.”

WHAT’S WORKING

Kicker Chase McLaughlin. The protection has been among the many league’s stingiest — and McLaughlin has been probably the most dependable scoring possibility. Since rejoining the Colts in Week 2, he’s made all 4 further factors and 7 of eight discipline targets, together with two late ones Thursday.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Offensive line. The Colts used two totally different beginning lineups in 5 days, and neither labored. Since Sunday, Ryan has been sacked 9 instances, thrown three interceptions and fumbled 4 instances — largely due to poor cross safety. Count on Indy to attempt one other lineup in Week 6.

STOCK UP

Gilmore. Indy’s offseason funding paid large dividends when Gilmore performed just like the 2019 NFL defensive participant of the yr, developing with two of the most important performs in Thursday’s sport.

STOCK DOWN

Bernhard Raimann. Indy tried the rookie at left deal with and he drew 4 penalties within the first half, three for holding. He was marginally higher within the second half and will enhance with extra enjoying time, however was overmatched in his beginning debut.

INJURIES

Along with Hines, DE Kwity Paye was carted off the sector within the second with an ankle damage. Reich mentioned X-rays had been unfavorable and so they hope he can return quickly. Danny Pinter changed Professional Bowl heart Ryan Kelly (hip) following Ryan’s first interception. WR Ashton Dulin didn’t return after hurting his foot. The Colts are also hopeful Taylor and three-time All-Professional LB Shaquille Leonard (concussion, fractured nostril) might play within the Jacksonville rematch.

KEY NUMBERS

One. Ryan’s five-touchdown, seven-interception totals are troubling, however the larger concern needs to be the run manufacturing. Regardless of having one of many league’s high rushers, Indy is considered one of 4 groups with a single dashing TD this season.

NEXT STEPS

The protection definitely is nice sufficient and McLaughlin’s emergence has supplied a particular groups increase. But when the offense can’t get in sync quickly, each sport might appear to be Thursday evening’s. Probably the most important element of the mini-bye week will probably be discovering an offensive line that may maintain Ryan upright and clear holes for runners.