The Indianapolis Colts’ hopes of reaching the postseason for the first time in four years were dashed in disappointing fashion on Sunday. While their chances of making the playoffs were slim, there was still a glimmer of possibility if they could win their remaining games.
However, following a humiliating 45-33 defeat to the New York Giants on the road, the Colts are left searching for answers as they face their fourth consecutive season without playoff football. Unfortunately, the solution may not be straightforward. The main issue, though, appears to be the team’s discipline, execution, and leadership.
When a team misses the playoffs, much of the blame falls on the head coach, and for the Colts, this situation is no different. However, General Manager Chris Ballard has also faced significant criticism throughout the season for his conservative approach and lack of aggressiveness.
It’s unclear whether a more proactive offseason strategy would have led to a different outcome in 2024, but it’s evident that the team’s failure to execute on the field is a primary concern—and that ultimately reflects on coaching. With their playoff dreams officially over after Week 17, the Colts now face the question: where do they go from here?
What Went Wrong for the Colts
Lack of Experience
One of the key challenges for the Colts this season has been their lack of experience. The team is currently led by 22-year-old quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has only 15 career starts under his belt. His inexperience has been evident throughout 2024, particularly in areas like accuracy and decision-making—issues that often improve with more experience. Richardson currently has a 47.7% completion rate and 13 turnovers. On the positive side, he holds a 6-5 record as a starter, showing that he is capable of leading the team to wins on occasion. However, the Colts have benefited from a relatively easy schedule, which has likely made their season appear better than it truly is. Richardson still has a lot of potential and room to develop, but he will need greater maturity and stronger leadership around him to thrive.
It’s also worth noting that the Colts’ top playmakers, Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr., have limited playoff experience, with each having only one game under their belts from their rookie season in 2020. That year, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers provided a stabilizing influence on the offense. This doesn’t mean the Colts should have kept Richardson on the bench in favor of someone like Joe Flacco, who struggled with turnovers and played with an inexperienced receiving corps. Flacco posted a 1-4 record with seven interceptions in his five starts.
This season will likely leave Colts fans and coaches scratching their heads as they head into the offseason. However, it’s clear that changes are needed, as the team’s approach over the past four years has not produced the desired results.
Lack of Execution
A major issue for the Colts this season has been their lack of execution. Typically, when a team is eliminated from playoff contention late in the year, it’s due to a failure to execute. For the Colts, however, this problem has been a recurring theme throughout 2024.
There are numerous examples of the Colts’ offense failing to execute effectively. One such instance came in Week 15 when they attempted a flea-flicker that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. On Sunday, Jonathan Taylor mishandled a backward pass on a two-point conversion attempt. He also fumbled just before crossing the goal line in Week 15, negating a touchdown. The Colts are currently -5 in turnover differential, ranking 19th in the league. They sit 16th in third-down conversion rate and 18th in Red Zone touchdown percentage.
The defense has also been a major source of frustration, often struggling with execution as well. They allow a 45% success rate on third downs, ranking 31st in the league, and surrender 25.3 points per game, which is 27th overall. Additionally, they have had trouble generating pressure on the quarterback and have been vulnerable in the secondary. The Colts’ defense has allowed quarterbacks like Drew Locke, Drake Maye, and Mason Rudolph to have some of their best performances of the season. These subpar quarterbacks have all had standout games against Gus Bradley’s defense. Overall, the Colts’ defense consistently falters when it matters most, failing to close out games or make key plays in crucial moments.
Lack of Leadership
A lack of experience often leads to poor execution, and these shortcomings are usually the result of poor leadership. With the Colts staring down yet another season that looks to end before the playoffs, it’s time for the organization to reflect on its leadership from top to bottom. While players are ultimately responsible for executing on the field, it is the coaches’ job to ensure the team is disciplined and fully prepared. The Colts haven’t shown they were ready for this season, which was evident in the way Sunday’s game played out.
The Colts have proven to be an inconsistent team that isn’t ready for postseason contention. Even if they had made it to the playoffs, they would have faced a tough challenge in making any significant noise. If the team hopes to turn things around in 2025, change is necessary. Whether that change comes from the coaching staff or the players remains to be seen. However, the current approach under Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen, and Gus Bradley has not yielded results. The offense has been erratic, the defense has been subpar, and some of the personnel moves made by Ballard are questionable at best.
Though the Colts’ playoff hopes are now dashed, they still have one final game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. How they perform in that game will offer a true reflection of the team’s identity. If they end the season with a strong showing, it could help boost the franchise’s morale heading into the offseason. But if they falter again with another poor performance, it’s clear that significant changes will be on the horizon.
Be the first to comment