An 8-3 record can be a funny thing these days in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts are 8-3, but a bad loss to the Kansas City Chiefs has folks scratching their heads and looking for answers, despite holding first place in the AFC South.
The Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles (who play each other Friday) are both 8-3. The former no one even cares about or talks about. The latter sees the sky falling in the City of Brotherly Love and drastic changes are needed pronto.
Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen sees more similarities to his former employer’s team (Eagles) than to the Bears. It wasn’t long ago that the Colts were on a rocket ship and favorites (to some) to come out of the AFC. But, after blowing a 20-9 fourth-quarter lead to the Chiefs, Steichen wants to take a look at some things.
“You always go back and self-evaluate those situations,” Steichen said Monday. “I really thought that last drive in regulation when we went pass, pass, pass, I could have called some runs there. Absolutely could have eaten up some time there, but, you know, in hindsight, it just didn’t work out, and I look at myself first and foremost in those situations to get better for our guys.”
Play calling isn’t the only aspect Shane Steichen is questioning
The Colts didn’t register a first down on three fourth-quarter drives on in overtime. That’s usually not a recipe for success when facing a Pat Mahomes-quarterbacked team. And it wasn’t, the Colts ending up losing 23-20 in OT.
It could have possibly been prevented if Steichen decided to go for it on fourth-and-four on the plus-45 yard line while up three points. With less than five minutes to go in the game, the Colts punted the ball to Mahomes and paid the price.
“That was kind of a gut feel there, that one on the 45-yard line,” Steichen said of the decision to punt it away. “I thought, let’s try to back him (Mahomes) up and let him go the long way instead of the short way. Obviously, he went down there and we held them to a field goal, but, yeah, you always look at those things and should I, could I, have went for it there? Yeah, possibly.”
He meant “gone” for it there, but we’ll forgive the grammar for now.
Shane Steichen stated the obvious immediately following the game
Immediately following the game, Steichen was dejected just like everyone else in the Colts’ organization. He knew what ever it was that they did on Sunday wasn’t good enough.
“We got to be better,” Steichen said. “I have to be better.”
His criticism really stems from his team’s production in the second half. The Chiefs have proven that they aren’t someone to let hang around.
“I think being efficient on first and 10,” Steichen said. “I thought at times we did that a little bit. We didn’t do that enough in the second half. It wasn’t good enough, and it starts with myself. I think we’ve got to be better in all phases. Run and pass, moving the football.”
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