The Colts’ 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football left a disappointing impression. While there were some notable moments – defensive tackles Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner combined for three of the Colts’ four sacks, linebacker Zaire Franklin recorded the second interception of his career, and cornerback Kenny Moore II returned a fumble for a touchdown – the offense struggled, dropping the Colts to a 4-5 record.
“Everyone has a bitter feeling from that game, and it lingers a bit,” said quarterback Joe Flacco on Wednesday as the Colts prepared for their Week 10 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. “But we can’t let that interfere with our preparation. We’re all focused and ready to go.”
Against the Vikings, Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 179 yards, with no touchdowns. The Colts’ offense had difficulty reaching the red zone and sustaining drives, holding possession for less than 25 minutes for the fifth time this season.
Now, Flacco and the offense need to face their shortcomings while staying confident. “You have to put your head down, correct things honestly, but also keep the confidence to move forward and have a strong week of practice,” Flacco said. “We’ve got a good group that can stay mentally tough, and that’s what we need right now.”
Head coach Shane Steichen announced Monday that Flacco would start against the Bills, expressing faith in his 17 years of NFL experience. “He’s been playing at a high level for a long time, so I trust him,” Steichen said.
Flacco, well-versed in bouncing back after losses, previously led the Colts to a win over the Tennessee Titans following a defeat by the Jaguars. Reflecting on losses is tough, he admitted, but it’s essential in the NFL. Now, it’s about how the Colts respond.
“Building the team we want means facing these challenges head-on and responding positively,” Flacco said. “We’ve had this challenge a few times, and we’ve done well. We need to keep trusting our preparation to play the way we want on game day.”
Be the first to comment