INDIANAPOLIS — Following a disheartening 31-13 defeat to the Denver Broncos, players from the Indianapolis Colts took turns accepting accountability for the disappointing performance.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. expressed regret for allowing his emotions to show during the game, while rookie Adonai Mitchell explained that he did not see Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto when he made a risky lateral pass to quarterback Anthony Richardson. Running back Jonathan Taylor also extended apologies to his teammates for his critical error in dropping the ball.
Coach Shane Steichen added to the discourse on Monday, stating that he bears ultimate responsibility for the mistakes that contributed to the team’s loss.
“It all comes down to consistency, and it starts with me,” he remarked. “We need to maintain consistency in our approach, and protecting the football must be our priority moving forward, as I believe our defense performed exceptionally well.”
The overarching inconsistency might ultimately thwart the Colts’ chances of reaching the playoffs, currently sitting at 6-8.
The Colts have been unable to achieve back-to-back wins for two months, and though some unpredictability can be expected from a second-year quarterback like Richardson, his performance has fluctuated dramatically, frequently changing from drive to drive.
The shortcomings were not limited to Richardson’s two interceptions or Mitchell’s ill-timed lateral that Bonitto intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Steichen took full blame, citing his decision to call a risky play and placing Mitchell in a difficult position.
“It was wide open until (Bonitto) turned into Ed Reed,” Mitchell lamented, drawing a comparison to the Hall of Fame safety known for his game-changing plays.
The Colts struggled with five turnovers during the game. A fumble from Pittman led to a field goal for the Broncos, while Taylor’s mistake — dropping the ball before reaching the end zone — turned a likely touchdown into a touchback, costing the Colts a potential 20-7 lead.
“We discuss these situations regularly,” Steichen said, referring to similar mistakes seen throughout the league this season. “It’s important to finish plays right and understand what’s at stake.”
As the Colts now have three games remaining and are two games behind in the race for the last playoff spot in the AFC — with a tiebreaker disadvantage to the Broncos — Sunday’s loss could prove to be detrimental to their postseason ambitions.
What’s working for the Colts? Their defense has excelled at creating turnovers.
They intercepted Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix three times, which helped them maintain the lead until late in the game.
However, the Colts have yet to master complementary football, as the offense, defense, and special teams continue to struggle working cohesively.
The game against Denver was a perfect example, as despite the defense allowing just 10 points through three quarters, the offense surrendered 14 points due to turnovers.
In terms of player performances, safety Nick Cross has emerged as a standout in his third year, recording 130 tackles this season after totaling only 56 in 2022, alongside his first career sack and three interceptions thus far.
Conversely, Mitchell has faced criticism throughout the season for various issues, including dropped passes, questionable route running, and now his decision-making on the field.
Injury concerns linger as well, with wide receiver Alec Pierce leaving the game due to a concussion and entering protocol.
Questions regarding the offensive line persist, particularly with Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly still on injured reserve and the recent announcement that right tackle Braden Smith has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, effectively ending his season due to personal issues.
An important statistic to note is .190, which reflects the combined winning percentage of the Colts’ last three opponents: Tennessee (3-11), the New York Giants (2-12), and Jacksonville (3-11).
Looking ahead, Steichen is encouraging his team to maintain a hopeful mindset, believing if they put forth their best effort in the coming weeks, there may still be a path to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Should that not materialize, he emphasizes that there remains plenty to play for this season.
