INDIANAPOLIS: The Indianapolis Colts skirted across the edge throughout their 4-sport successful streak.
On Sunday, they danced proper off of it.
Cincinnati exploited Indy’s aggressive cross rush with three lengthy display passes, the Colts’ floor sport struggled once more, and even the particular groups unit that performed so properly one week earlier broke down in a 34-14 loss.
On Monday, the embarrassed Colts (7-6) have been already again at work, looking for a fast repair.
“We opened Pandora’s box (Sunday) for sure with the screen game,” two-time Pro Bowl defensive deal with DeForest Buckner mentioned after the Bengals used 54- and 46-yard passes to gasoline their first two landing drives. “We’ve got to go to the tape, we’ve got to look at our fits, and how we can turn the screens back inside to the guys pursuing the ball. We’ve got to put that fire out quick.”
Indy’s most lopsided lack of the season didn’t considerably injury its playoff hopes.
The Colts (7-6) nonetheless sit within the AFC’s seventh and remaining playoff spot, nonetheless path AFC South-leading Jacksonville by one sport and nonetheless can enhance their postseason possibilities by defending their residence area Saturday in opposition to the low-scoring Pittsburgh Steelers.
But the Cincinnati sport was alarming for a crew that spent the earlier month celebrating the other ways it used to win video games.
The Colts returned two interceptions for touchdowns to topple Carolina and used a late interception and late area aim to place away the Patriots. It took a shock fourth-and-1 name and a late strip-sack to beat the Buccaneers and two nifty cross performs late in time beyond regulation to rally in opposition to Tennessee.
On Sunday, they by no means had an opportunity to make a late, sport-altering play.
They misplaced the turnover battle. They had a landing nullified by a penalty. Matt Gay missed a area aim and an additional level. And a protection that averaged 16.8 factors allowed throughout the 4 wins yielded greater than twice that in opposition to the Bengals and their backup quarterback, Jake Browning.
“We have a drive going, and a penalty moves us back. We have another drive going, and another penalty moves us back,” coach Shane Steichen mentioned. “A lot of that stuff — the punt, Ameer (Speed) runs into (returner Isaiah McKenzie). In that situation I was thinking, ‘Geez, Louise.’”
The Colts are nonetheless in playoff competition. To keep there, they should regain their edge.
“It was just one of those days,” Steichen mentioned. “I have full confidence that we’ll get it cleaned up.”
WHAT’S WORKING
WR Michael Pittman Jr. He has not less than eight receptions in six straight video games and fell 5 yards wanting his third straight 100-yard video games. Pittman wants 16 yards for his second 1,000-yard season and is 5 catches away from his first 100-reception season in a contract yr.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The floor sport. Indy’s woes can’t be traced fully to the absence of 2021 NFL speeding champ Jonathan Taylor. But dropping Taylor to a proper thumb damage hasn’t helped. Indy has did not to hurry for 80 or extra yards 4 of its final six video games after topping 125 yards six instances in its first eight.
STOCK UP
LB Ronnie Harrison Jr. Three weeks in the past, Harrison was promoted to the lively roster after the shock launch of three-time All-Pro Shaquille Leonard. In his first three video games, Harrison has seven tackles and has picked off two passes, together with a decide-6 late within the first half Sunday that tied the rating at 14.
STOCK DOWN
LT Bernhard Raimann. He has performed comparatively properly in his second season as Indy’s blind-aspect protector. But Raiman struggled at Cincinnati, permitting two sacks and extra pressures. He additionally drew a tripping penalty whereas making an attempt to decelerate Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson.
INJURIES
Indy had 4 starters out in opposition to the Bengals — Taylor, RT Braden Smith (knee), LB E.J. Speed (knee) and CB JuJu Brents (quad). It’s not clear whether or not any of the 4 might return this week.
KEY NUMBER
2 — Sunday was simply the second time this yr Indy failed to attain 20 or extra factors, and the primary time it occurred on American soil. It scored simply 10 factors in Germany, which was sufficient to beat New England.
NEXT STEPS
The Colts will face one other backup quarterback on Saturday and, just like the Bengals, the Steelers and Mitch Trubisky could attempt to sluggish Indy’s cross rush with screens. Unlike the Bengals, although, the Steelers are scoring simply 16.2 factors per sport. It’s as much as Indy’s protection to assist the crew bounce again.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
