OFFICIAL GAME THREAD: Win the Game, Make the Playoffs (vs. TEXANS, 1/06)

[CletusPyle]

Go for 2!

[Dewey 5]

Hell yeah!

[Racehorse]

Taylor is worth every penny!!!

[Spike]

Damn, JT with the TD!

[nate505]

Fuck yes, there's a way to start the second half!

[WaynesWorld87]

Too early to chase the point. Go for the XP.

[CletusPyle]

We're back in it baby!

[Brylok]

Yes, Mo

[Dewey 5]

Got it!

[nate505]

Now that's a momentum shift!

[TheMugwump]

J mutha fucking T

T stands for To The House!

[WaynesWorld87]

Too early to chase the point. Go for the XP.
I was exactly right.

[YDFL Commish]

WeIn Steichen we trust!

[Spike]

Taylor is worth every penny!!!

And then some!

[DragonTails]

Nice block by Pierce to get JT to the end zone

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts led the Saints by a score of 17-7, and wound up losing the game by a score of 38-27.

The Colts trailed the Steelers by a score of 13-0, and wound up winning the game by a score of 30-13.


It's still early ...... don't crown the Texans just yet.

o
o


Keep this in mind, my fellow Colts fans.

o

[TheMugwump]

Too early to chase the point. Go for the XP.

I agree.

But I'll also take the two points.

[DragonTails]

Flip this fkn field position now!

[TheMugwump]

At this point, both teams have 220 yards of offense.

Seemed like the Colts were getting dominated, but it's dead even every way possible.

[Colts And Orioles]

Too early to chase the points ...... go for the XP.





o


I actually agree with this, even though we got the 2-pointer ...... sometimes you get lucky/fortunate, in spite of not doing the prudent thing.

o

[CletusPyle]

Momentum has definitely shifted!:D

[DragonTails]

Have we ever had a 3 and out after scoring a td? Last time was 2018.

[TheMugwump]

Crowd's into it now.

[Dewey 5]

Texans punter hitting some bombs.

[TheMugwump]

Have we ever had a 3 and out after scoring a td? Last time was 2018.

And now we have.

[Spike]

I hate the Texan's punter with a passion.

[Racehorse]

Texans punter hitting some bombs.

Reminds me of the Chargers game a few years back.

[TheMugwump]

That punter is starting to annoy the hell out of me...

[CletusPyle]

I don't like Downs returning kicks...too valuable! Wonder what Mac did?

[DragonTails]

I wish Pitt would have lost today.

[TheMugwump]

Reminds me of the Chargers game a few years back.

Too soon.

[Brylok]

Goddamn Cardiac Colts...

[Dewey 5]

Reminds me of the Chargers game a few years back.

Great call. Playoff game I believe.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts' defense has have forced one punt so far ...... with each punt that they force (and/or turnover that they come up with), it will be one more step away from complete embarrassment, one more step towards respectability.

o
o


That's 6 punts that the Colts' defense has forced so far.

o

[nate505]

Keep running the fucking ball!!!!

[Spike]

We can run on the Texans.

[CletusPyle]

Oh man....our running game is back!

[Colts And Orioles]

Texans punter hitting some bombs.











Reminds me of the Chargers game a few years back.





o


The 2008 playoff game ???

That's when we had a record of 12-4, the Chargers had a record of 8-8, and we still had to go to San Diego to play the game because they won their division and we were a Wildcard.

o

[Spike]

Taylor is a fucking beast.

[TheMugwump]

Wear them down, boys.

[nate505]

o


The 2008 playoff game ???

That's when we had a record of 12-4, the Chargers had a record of 8-8, and we still had to go to San Diego to play the game because they won their division and we were a Wildcard.

o

Hated that bullshit "division winner gets a home playoff game" rule then, hate it now.

Though in theory the Colts could benefit from it this season.

[Brylok]

I never thought I'd see Taylor putting in an effort again, but he's playing well today.

[TheMugwump]

Hughes is getting that Texans' defense a breather.


Drag him off the field and keep running the ball.

[TheMugwump]

I never thought I'd see Taylor putting in an effort again, but he's playing well today.

Taylor has never given less than 100% on the field, no matter what you think of his contract-seeking tactics. And as good a Moss is, Taylor is elite.

[Colts And Orioles]

Taylor is a fucking beast.





o


So is Moss ...... and so are Goodson and Sermon, if we need him.

o

[CletusPyle]

Fuck you Hughes!

[nate505]

Damn, momentum shift again.

Really, a FG?

[Spike]

And Minshew gets another batted ball.

[WaynesWorld87]

All that promise on that drive and it dies. The Jerry Hughes injury + TO killed the drive.

Fuck me.

[bigalbert]

Lost our field position


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[nate505]

I hate that FG call

[WaynesWorld87]

And the FG doinks the upright and now the Texans have excellent starting field-position.

That Hughes injury was a huge momentum changer.

[Spike]

57 yarder missed.

Now the Texans get good field position.

[Spike]

I hate that FG call

Me too. Should have pinned them back.

[Mr. Session]

I hate that FG call

I’m inclined to agree.

He has not been reliable, lately.

[WaynesWorld87]

I hate that FG call
Same. Defense has been solid-ish, but not great, all game. Pin the Texans deep and and finally try to flip the field-position battle.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Good teams don't fold when they get a bad break ...... the Colts' defense has been playing well, and they should not let that string of events change that.

o

[CletusPyle]

Colts went Gay too many times!

[Spike]

I think hitting the upright should be worth 1 point. That's fucking hard to do unless your name is Gay.

[Dewey 5]

We're going to need Speed. Hope he's okay

[Spike]

Stroud has all fucking day to throw.

[Colts And Orioles]

I think that hitting the upright should be worth 1 point ...... that's fucking hard to do, unless your name is Gay.





o


In the Canadian Football League, you get 1 point for punting the ball clear out of the end-zone ...... although, the end-zones in the CFL are twice as large as they are in the NFL (it's 20 yards from the goal-line to the end-line.)

o

[TheMugwump]

Get the hell up, Speed.

[ChaosTheory]

Fucking watch it with the grabbing, Baker...

[Spike]

He won't miss, it's against the Colts

[WaynesWorld87]

And the Texans make their 50+ yarder. Because of course he does. Kickers never miss 50+ yarders against us.

[Brylok]

Goddamn carebear...

[Racehorse]

Need another Taylor TD this drive. 75 yarder this time.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(THE COLTS' DEFENSE)



Possessions: lllllll) 9

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllll) 6

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 2

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

o

[WaynesWorld87]

Alright, Texans are on to the run game.

We need Minshew, the OL, and receivers to come through and threaten with the pass game finally.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Good teams don't fold when they get a bad break ...... the Colts' defense has been playing well, and they should not let that string of events change that.

o
o


Good job by the Colts' defense to hold them to a long field-goal attempt with that kind of field position to start with ...... that's what I'm talking about ...... good teams roll with then punches, and don't panic after a bad break.

o

[WaynesWorld87]

Run game is dead, now. Four yard loss really takes us off-schedule. I'm parroting Aikman, but that injury really fucked our momentum.

[Dewey 5]

First down +15

[nate505]

Get those points back

[bigalbert]

I was just gonna say where’s Pittman? Lol
Nice


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[Racehorse]

Defenders hit Pittman illegally far too often.

[Spike]

Pittman is one tough MF.

Dirty Texans get a flag too.

[CletusPyle]

Dirty fucking bastard!

[nate505]

Fuck you King

[Spike]

Throw King's ass out of the game. Dirty cocksucker.

[TheMugwump]

Pittman is one tough MF.

Dirty Texans get a flag too.

Actually, he's a beast.

Hell yeah, he is.

[Butter]

Pittman is such a stud.

[WaynesWorld87]

A good Colts screen = 3-yards

[nate505]

Looks like to be a hell of a 4th.

Bullshit spot

[CletusPyle]

He got it easy, refs starting to insert their ass into the game!

[Spike]

One of those refs have money on the Texans.

[WaynesWorld87]

No clock reset or review? Not only did we potentially get fucked on the spot, we lost the opportunity to run another play before the end of the quarter.

[Dewey 5]

After seeing the replay I think they got the spot right. Looked a tad short

[Brylok]

Moss trying to become a modern day Dominic Rhodes. I hope he's successful.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


If we get the first down, it might be better for us ...... it will be that much more time for our defense to rest, and for the Texans' defense to labor.

o

[nate505]

That's a first down.

[TheMugwump]

Looks like to be a hell of a 4th.

Bullshit spot

At least the commercial break before the fourth quarter gives the a chance to look at it multiple times to decide if they want to challenge.

[Spike]

Moss got it.

Fucking refs.

[nate505]

Great challenge

[Dewey 5]

Now I think he did get it. Good challenge here

[Spike]

Crooked ref probably forgot that there was replay.

[CletusPyle]

Whoa.....what happened to JT?

[bigalbert]

Made out of fucking glass ain’t he


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[TheMugwump]

I think he got it, but with the call on the field putting it short, not sure there is enough clear evidence to call it a first.

[Dewey 5]

What is wrong with Taylor now?

[Racehorse]

What is wrong with Taylor now?

Nothing serious, it seems.

[nate505]

First down confirmed!

[Racehorse]

The right DE keeps lining up even with the ball. No flags

[DragonTails]

Damn texas was lined up offsides if we snapped it

[bigalbert]

Nothing serious, it seems.


I dunno
Seemed to be his hip
I doubt he’s back


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[TheMugwump]

That Texans' right end has lined up offsides twice in a row. Unfortunately we don't have the refs from the game a few weeks ago.

[Dewey 5]

Per Holder

Jonathan Taylor is dealing with a heel injury, per the Colts. His status is questionable

[Colts And Orioles]

I dunno.

Seemed to be his hip.

I doubt that he’s back.





o


That's OK ...... we still have Moss, Goodson, and Sermon.

o

[bigalbert]

That was a costly drive player wise


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[Spike]

Why is Minshew throwing that ball. No chance for a first down.

[nate505]

Just don't turn it over

[Brylok]

I'll go to the grave saying that Rhodes and Venetieri won us that playoff game at Baltimore in the SB year.

[Mr. Session]

We need a turnover

[nate505]

Ok, tie game.

I'm gonna channel my inner Thorgrim and say that I see a turnover coming up here.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


When the score was 14-6 at halftime, the Texans were getting the ball to start the 2nd half ...... at that time, who would have been surprised that the game would be tied at 17 apiece, early in the 4th quarter ???

o

[TheMugwump]

I'll go to the grave saying that Rhodes and Venetieri won us that playoff game at Baltimore in the SB year.

I actually thought Rhodes should have been the MVP of the SB win. If he had been, my daughter who was born two days later would be named Dominique.

[DragonTails]

I feel like a missed FG in OT for a 20-20 tie

[WaynesWorld87]

The right DE keeps lining up even with the ball. No flags
Noticed that. I thought maybe it was the TV angle the first time, but dammit if it's not so close to even every time I see it, I really think he might be off-sides.

[Brylok]

Central Indiana; flat as an ironing board

[ChaosTheory]

What was that about JT? Did she say heel?

[nate505]

Great blitz!

[Dewey 5]

Finally a blitz & what ya know it worked

[Spike]

And Stroud goes DOWN.

Good job Harrison.

[nate505]

Make a fucking tackle

[Brylok]

Baker, bless him, is terrible.

[Spike]

Missed tackle, damn.

[Dewey 5]

Now we give up a ton on 2nd down. Poor tackling & they convert the 3rd

[nate505]

Way to whiff that tackle you jackass

[Butter]

Baker is a shitty tackler

[Spike]

Yeah Gus, let's play off 7 yards when they only need 3.

[Butter]

We have to get better depth and quality in the secondary, this is pathetic

[Colts And Orioles]

I feel like a missed FG in OT for a 20-20 tie.





o


And then the Colts win the division with a record of 9-7-1 after the Jaguars lose tomorrow.

o

[Dewey 5]

Holding. Texans doing everything they can to help us

[TheMugwump]

Should blitz every play from here on out.

[WaynesWorld87]

Another Down and 20 for the Texans this drive. Let's see how we fuck it up this time.

[Dewey 5]

Our secondary sucks so bad

[nate505]

What the hell, who is #40 and why does he suck

[Spike]

Wow, shitty ass coverage on that completed pass. Just pathetic.

[WaynesWorld87]

Of. Fucking. Course.

That was ri-fucking-diculous. And now the Texans are pretty much in FG range.

[Racehorse]

Time to get screwed

[CletusPyle]

NO they should have had to call timeout or took the penalty!

[Butter]

Lol a fucking do-over

[Brylok]

I actually thought Rhodes should have been the MVP of the SB win. If he had been, my daughter who was born two days later would be named Dominique.

Arguably

[nate505]

Sigh... This drive is frustrating as fuck

[Racehorse]

Need a turnover

[Spike]

Screens always work against Gus's defense. Always

[bigalbert]

Texans punch this in it’s gonna be tuff


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[Butter]

These announcers can stop gargling the Texicans balls at anytime.

[Dewey 5]

Gus Bradley wants make me freaking puke.

[nate505]

Collins is nearly single handedly killing the Colts

[WaynesWorld87]

Given the stakes of this game, this has been the franchise's worst defensive possession since...when??

[Racehorse]

How about the one in the first half you clowns missed?

[bigalbert]

Back breaker


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[DragonTails]

Baker took a shitty angle

[Dewey 5]

We're in big trouble now.

[Mr. Session]

Damn Bradley.

[Brylok]

Ugh. Gotta score now.

[nate505]

That was a bad bad drive for the defense

[Racehorse]

Baker took a shitty angle

Doesn't he always?

[Dewey 5]

Well.

[CletusPyle]

We had them twice a mile behind the sticks and let them off the hook!

Missed extra point gives us hope!

[Brylok]

Carebear missed. Opportunity is on the table.

[Racehorse]

We gonna win on a missed XPA?

[CletusPyle]

Of course when we need him most JT's mangina is acting up again!

[DragonTails]

Pitt didn't like that missed PAT.

Let's get this.24-23!

[Dewey 5]

Taylor isn't coming back. Downgraded to doubtful.

[DragonTails]

Of course when we need him most JT's mangina is acting up again!

We have enough play makers. Give Minshew some time.

[WaynesWorld87]

And now we're going to need a TD just to tie the game and force OT.

[Dewey 5]

Well he's back.

[CletusPyle]

Sorry JT...way to man up!

[Colts And Orioles]

Pitt didn't like that missed PAT.





o

He loved it.



https://www.pro-football-reference.com/req/20230307/images/headshots/PittMi01_2023.jpg

o

[Brylok]

Josh. Downs.

[Racehorse]

First Downs!!!

[Spike]

Finally got Downs involved.

[CletusPyle]

JT is hesitating too much...maybe Moss should be in there?

[WaynesWorld87]

The run game isn't working. Hasn't worked since the Hughes injury in the 3rd quarter, which killed what probably would've been a TD drive to put us in the lead.

[Butter]

Houston is a trash team

[Dewey 5]

Ain't going to be anymore punts tonight boys.

[TheMugwump]

Thank you Texans for the first down.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


We can win it with a FG, and onside kick, another FG, and then let Stroud throw a pick-6 in overtime.

o

[TheMugwump]

o


We can win it with a FG, and onside kick, another FG, and then let Stroud throw a pick-6 in overtime.

o

Well, we could...

[CletusPyle]

They won't change this will they?:eek:

[Dewey 5]

First down?

[DragonTails]

They are going to take that away

[Brylok]

What? Always a bizarre play in a Colts game.

[bigalbert]

He made it
1st down baby!
Let’s Go!!!!


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[TheMugwump]

Damn. Two-minute warning may give them time to challenge that.

[CletusPyle]

They are going to take that away

But can the Texans risk losing a time out?

[DragonTails]

Don't go out of bounds

[bigalbert]

Cut it inside dumbass


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[bigalbert]

How dumb I’d he?


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[DragonTails]

OMG...he had first down if turns up field

[nate505]

Not sure why he's going out of bounds

[Dewey 5]

Comes down to this 4th down

[nate505]

And here's the game

[CletusPyle]

This could be the last offensive snap of our season!

[bigalbert]

That’s all folks


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[DragonTails]

Offsiedes!!!!

[Dewey 5]

Goodson drops & we lose.

[Brylok]

Goodbye, Goodson. Smh

[nate505]

Fuck.....

Way to not catch a pass Goodson.

[Racehorse]

Wow!!!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Now, we only have 2 time-outs left if we don't make it.

o

[Butter]

That was the call? The fuck.

[bigalbert]

Minshew just isn’t very good


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[nate505]

Pretty lousy pass Minshew

[Butter]

Minshew just isn’t very good


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He is a backup for a reason

[DragonTails]

Dude lined up in the neutral zone!!!!

[Dewey 5]

Well good season. Much better than I anticipated & the future is now in AR's hands

[Racehorse]

That was the call? The fuck.

It was a good call, but the execution was horrible.

[CletusPyle]

Minshew made that way harder to catch than necessary!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Now, we only have 2 time-outs left if we don't make it.

o
o


Game over ...... I wanted to save that time-out, and go with a play.

o

[Dewey 5]

I will be mad if Gus Bradley is back & Ballard better not be a pussy in free agency this year

[Butter]

Well good season. Much better than I anticipated & the future is now in AR's hands

If he can learn to play smart to stay healthy we will be ok.

[WaynesWorld87]

9-8 season. Much better than expected, but that's still an extremely disappointing way to end the season.

Here's to hoping Richardson can stay healthy going forward. Stroud is going to be a major pain in the ass for years to come.

[Brylok]

We lose in a game where carebear missed twice...

[Dewey 5]

9-8 season. Much better than expected, but that's still an extremely disappointing way to end the season.

Here's to hoping Richardson can stay healthy going forward. Stroud is going to be a major pain in the ass for years to come.

Exactly. Disappointed but not angry

[Racehorse]

Well, we will be picking in the middle of the draft. Who you all got?

[rm1369]

Taylor ran soft last two runs. Cost them

[nate505]

I'm not horribly upset either, just bummed

[Dam8610]

Difference in the game was the Texans trusted their best player on their final drive and the Colts took their best player off the field for 4th and 1.

[ChaosTheory]

Difference in QB. Stroud made some crazy throws. Minshew missed several routine throws.

We knew that was the limitation of our season. Let's go, AR.

[Mr. Session]

For all the success this year, it sure feels like it did last year.

Houston is still ahead of us. Jacksonville is still ahead of us.

I think it’s objectively fair to argue that Ballard’s job has to be on the line next year. Steichen needs to prove this year wasn’t a fluke.

[TheMugwump]

Taylor ran soft last two runs. Cost them

If he puts his shoulder down on the second down run, he gets it. But it was a bad pass on 4th, and a drop by a professional RB. Lots of plays to make you say "what if".

If AR can stay healthy and be more accurate than Minshew, this may be the last non-playoff year for quite a while.

[DragonTails]

Taylor ran soft last two runs. Cost them

He cuts that sweep up the field and gets the first down easily.

[Dewey 5]

That screw job in the browns game is the thing that eats at me

[Dam8610]

Well, we will be picking in the middle of the draft. Who you all got?

Malik Nabers or Jared Verse initially. Maybe Jayden Daniels?

[Mr. Session]

May the jags and Texans both enjoy divisional or later exits.

Irsay has got to hire some guys that can actually win this division.

[Dewey 5]

. Maybe Jayden Daniels?

Now you're just trolling.

[Brylok]

Disappointed but hopeful. Steichen is the man. I'm so glad Frank is gone. I really hope AR can pan out as a top QB. Congratulations and good job to the offensive line coach. Do whatever with Gus. Hire someone better if you fire him.

[DragonTails]

Did no one see the DE offsides on the forth down play? Not even close. 1/2 yard offsides.

[Dam8610]

Now you're just trolling.

Nope. Wasn't sold on Richardson before, injury didn't help. If Daniels was there with no trade up, I'd consider it.

[CletusPyle]

If Minshew lays that pass out in front of Goodson, I think he might score! It was the right call, not sure about Goodson being in there instead of Taylor or Moss, but I really blame Minshew more than Goodson.

[Dam8610]

May the jags and Texans both enjoy divisional or later exits.

Irsay has got to hire some guys that can actually win this division.

I want only one in and that one out in the Wild Card.

[Colts And Orioles]

If Minshew lays that pass out in front of Goodson, I think he might score! It was the right call, not sure about Goodson being in there instead of Taylor or Moss, but I really blame Minshew more than Goodson.





o


There was that ......

And there was the Colts' defense crapping the bed twice on the Texans' final TD drive ......

And there was Jonathan Taylor going out of bounds twice on the Colts' final drive, instead of staying in-bounds and turning it up-field ......

And there was the missed receiver in the end zone in the 1st quarter, making the Colts settle for a FG instead of a TD ......

And there was Matt Gay's 57-yard FG attempt that banged off of the uprights, denying the Colts of 3 points and giving the Texans' great field position ......

And there was Mo Alie-Cox dropping a ball right in his hands, with plenty of daylight in front of him ......

o

[Dam8610]

Also not enamored with Steichen’s tendency to take Taylor out in crucial situations. Hopefully this changes going forward. Also would've loved a PA screen to Pittman on one of those second or third and 6 or less plays.

[Chromeburn]

That was the right play call. They just didn’t execute it. Pass could have been a bit better but it hit him in his hands. Frustrating thing about Minshew, he looks great at times but just doesn’t quite get it done.

I do question taking Taylor out there. They likely would not have gone far in the playoffs, but would have been nice to get in.

Houston got really lucky on a couple plays there at the end.

[rm1369]

Also not enamored with Steichen’s tendency to take Taylor out in crucial situations. Hopefully this changes going forward. Also would've loved a PA screen to Pittman on one of those second or third and 6 or less plays.

After his other plays on the series, fuck Taylor. He should have been out. He ran stupid and soft. Like late Indy Eric Dickerson.

Most likely he was out due to the thumb injury. Still I think he’s a soft me first player.

[Dam8610]

That was the right play call. They just didn’t execute it. Pass could have been a bit better but it hit him in his hands. Frustrating thing about Minshew, he looks great at times but just doesn’t quite get it done.

I do question taking Taylor out there. They likely would not have gone far in the playoffs, but would have been nice to get in.

Houston got really lucky on a couple plays there at the end.

That was the right playcall with Taylor in the game. The right playcall with Goodson in the game would've been a screen to Pittman or a QB sneak.

Unfortunately, the better team won tonight, and while all the fear of Trevor Lawrence was misplaced, the place to put that fear is C.J. Stroud and the Texans.

[ChaosTheory]

That was the right playcall with Taylor in the game. The right playcall with Goodson in the game would've been a screen to Pittman or a QB sneak.

Unfortunately, the better team won tonight, and while all the fear of Trevor Lawrence was misplaced, the place to put that fear is C.J. Stroud and the Texans.

Better team by way of just outclassing us at QB. Stroud can hit a 75-yard bomb on the first play of a game, Minshew can't. He also made some stupid-good throws at the end of the game where I thought he was dead to rights.

Minshew just doesn't have the talent or even the coolness to match that. He gets antsy and balls get away from him.

I don't feel that way about the rest of the IND/HOU rosters.

[Dam8610]

Better team by way of just outclassing us at QB. Stroud can hit a 75-yard bomb on the first play of a game, Minshew can't. He also made some stupid-good throws at the end of the game where I thought he was dead to rights.

Minshew just doesn't have the talent or even the coolness to match that. He gets antsy and balls get away from him.

I don't feel that way about the rest of the IND/HOU rosters.

I absolutely agree with you on that. The problem with that is I'm not sold the Colts have the QB position solved, I am sold the Texans have the QB position solved, and as we saw for about 20 years, an elite QB outclasses a superior roster with a middling or inept QB every time.

[bertjones]

Tough to see the season end on such a pants shitting play.
I think not having taylor in there will be second guessed. He willed himself back
into the game, you ride him to the end.
In the end though this was a very flawed team that went a lot further than
people had reason to expect. The coach is a keeper. All eyes will be on
Richardson next year. We all saw the light go on with him but he has to
show he can stay healty or it wont matter. And hopefully Ballard will
avoid the habit of leaving certain areas of this team embarassingly thin
which seems to happen year after year.

[apballin]

After riding Taylor down the field to take him out right there has got to be the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen. It’s 4th and 1 not 4th and 5… not to mention you telegraph the play having Goodson in there, and let’s not forget Minshew hadn’t thrown a pass the entire fuckin drive. That should be an easy slam dunk… two biggest paid guys on the fuckin team Taylor runs right behind Nelson…. WTF are we doing

Overall I mean whatever this team over exceeded due to the weakest schedule in NFL history they played 3 maybe 4 actual NFL qbs this year so it would’ve ended with an embarrassing playoff loss most likely. It will not surprise me if the Texans and jags get totally blown out in round 1. AFC south is a joke

[Hoopsdoc]

Tough to see the season end on such a pants shitting play.
I think not having taylor in there will be second guessed. He willed himself back
into the game, you ride him to the end.
In the end though this was a very flawed team that went a lot further than
people had reason to expect. The coach is a keeper. All eyes will be on
Richardson next year. We all saw the light go on with him but he has to
show he can stay healty or it wont matter. And hopefully Ballard will
avoid the habit of leaving certain areas of this team embarassingly thin
which seems to happen year after year.

Good post. My thoughts exactly.

Colts went a lot further than anyone thought they would.

Its hard to see that now, after a loss like that, but it’s true.

It’s up to AR how far they can go in the future.

Plus, now they have a 3rd place schedule next season. That can only help.

The future is still bright.

[CletusPyle]

After a good night's sleep, I still hate the way that game ended! But now the thing troubling me the most is I see the Colts as the third best team in the AFC South next season too! You know Houston is going to get a stud RB and add another quality WR next season. Jaguars are already a very good team and will only be better next year. So even if we improve and AR stays healthy, we could be a better team and still finish third again!

[CletusPyle]

After riding Taylor down the field to take him out right there has got to be the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen. It’s 4th and 1 not 4th and 5… not to mention you telegraph the play having Goodson in there, and let’s not forget Minshew hadn’t thrown a pass the entire fuckin drive. That should be an easy slam dunk… two biggest paid guys on the fuckin team Taylor runs right behind Nelson…. WTF are we doing

Overall I mean whatever this team over exceeded due to the weakest schedule in NFL history they played 3 maybe 4 actual NFL qbs this year so it would’ve ended with an embarrassing playoff loss most likely. It will not surprise me if the Texans and jags get totally blown out in round 1. AFC south is a joke

Outside of about 3 or 4 teams the entire NFL is a joke right now! I still think the Jags are a pretty decent team and if Lawrence is back 100% they could win at least 1 playoff game. At one point during this season, I honestly felt the Jags were contenders, if they can get healthy at the right time, they are still a very damgerous team!

[Racehorse]

Last night was an exception for me. Usually, when we lose close games with that much at stake, I rerun the mistakes in my head and can't sleep. Last night, I was upset with the last offensive play, but went to bed and was able to get to sleep quickly. This team vastly overachieved, given the circumstances. AR will return, and that will be an upgrade. Taylor should be ready to pair up with him immediately, instead of having no snaps together. Downs proved he was the right pick, and will only get better. AR will be able to get the ball to Pierce, making the run game open up even more. The young guys on the Oline should get better. The young secondary now has a season of experience, and should get another piece through the draft. Have to extend Pittman Monday. Have to get another WR and Edge rusher in the draft. Maybe sign Tee Higgins.

As Ed would always say, the future is bright, so :cool::cool::cool:

[Indystu2]

OK, I slept and...I am still mad. When the game was on the line and you HAD to have ONE yard, they got cute with the pay call. Your best offensive weapon, a RB, was not on the field on a day when the pass game was ridiculously bad and a RB who NOT been on the field for a single play was in the game, not even RB2, but RB3/4! I am sure the thinking was the other team would not expect the ball to go to RB3. Keeping the ball on the ground and out of the QBs hands was CLEARLY working. So on the most important play of the game, they left it to a QB with maybe 100 yards passing. I get it, it was a short pass, but COME ON! They got cute and outsmarted themselves. That is all.

[IndyNorm]

After a good night's sleep, I still hate the way that game ended! But now the thing troubling me the most is I see the Colts as the third best team in the AFC South next season too! You know Houston is going to get a stud RB and add another quality WR next season. Jaguars are already a very good team and will only be better next year. So even if we improve and AR stays healthy, we could be a better team and still finish third again!

Possible silver lining is that Hou just barely beat us w/ our back QB, and they needed to make some great plays along w/ some really bad mistakes from us to do so. Makes me think that if AR had stayed healthy and continued to progress through the year that we very well could have beat them handily.

Hou will probably get better in the offseason as they have plenty of cap space and due to the Watson trade and another trade w/ Philly pretty much have their normal allotment of draft picks.

The Jaguars probably won't be able to add anything in FA and might have to release some guys. They don't have much cap space and have to pay Josh Allen along w/ some other players like Ridley. Also, they need to figure out what to do w/ Lawrence.

Ballard's going to have his work cut out for him this offseason. Not only do we have plenty of our own we need to re-sign (MPJ, Grover, Blackmon) and possibly extend (Defo, Franklin, Speed), but we need some serious improvement in the secondary at both CB and S, more pass rush, and more weapons for AR.

[IndyNorm]

Tough to see the season end on such a pants shitting play.
I think not having taylor in there will be second guessed. He willed himself back
into the game, you ride him to the end.
In the end though this was a very flawed team that went a lot further than
people had reason to expect. The coach is a keeper. All eyes will be on
Richardson next year. We all saw the light go on with him but he has to
show he can stay healty or it wont matter. And hopefully Ballard will
avoid the habit of leaving certain areas of this team embarassingly thin
which seems to happen year after year.

Well said and unfortunately I share your concern highlighted.

For instance down the stretch has shown that we desperately need improvement in the secondary. But it would be a very Ballardesque thing to do to just stick w/ what we have and maybe add 1 or 2 mid round high RAS development guys to the mix.