The Colts missed the playoffs for the third year in a row this season, but even though the team came up short, this season was not at all a disappointment.
Coming off of a disastrous 4-12-1 season in 2022, plus the disadvantage of a rookie quarterback in Anthony Richardson and first year head coach in Shane Steichen, the expectations were very low for the Colts, who were not even expected to win more than five games and to finish last in the AFC South. But then it happened.
Before the season started, the Colts knew they would be without star running back Jonathan Taylor for the first four games as he was placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list in the offseason. After all the drama surrounding Taylor regarding his contract and after he had requested a trade from the team, by week one it looked like the situation had calmed down for the moment. The team also knew that leader Shaquille Leonard was still not 100% following his back procedures.
To begin the season, after week 1 loss to Jacksonville, the Colts won back-to-back games against Houston and Baltimore. But after an injury to Anthony Richardson in the Houston win, it was Gardner Minshew who led the Colts to an overtime win against the Ravens.
Back at home in week 4, the Colts had Anthony Richardson back but that wouldn’t stop them from going down 23-0 to the Rams. The team miraculously came back to tie the game at 23 and force overtime, but the Rams scored on the opening drive and won the game, dropping the Colts back to .500.
The next week, the Tennessee Titans came to town for Jonathan Taylor’s return. A moment that changed the entire season happened late in the second quarter when Anthony Richardson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Once again Gardner Minshew came in and put the Colts out in front and the defense secured the win with a late interception.
The Colts dropped their next three games, with Minshew throwing three picks in a blowout loss in Jacksonville that, at the time, looked to eliminate the Colts from having a shot at the division title.
The following week, with less than a minute to go, two missed calls on the Colts helped the Browns get a victory, then against the Saints, after leading by 10, the defense fell apart late and the Colts ended up losing by 11.
At the midway point in the season, the Colts stood at 3-5 and looked to be headed to a replay of last year. Luckily, the Colts next game was against the 1-7 Panthers and Kenny Moore’s two “pick 6s” helped the Colts get back on track and started a four game win streak.
The Colts then beat the Patriots in a close game in Germany heading into the bye week. Against Tampa Bay, a strip sack late in the fourth quarter secured the win. Then in Tennessee, two blocked punts and a Michael Pittman touchdown got an overtime win.
Sadly, the good fortune ended in Cincinnati as after a 14-14 tie at halftime, the Colts gave up 20 straight points and were blown out by the Bengals. The following game against Pittsburgh had huge playoff implications as both teams came into the game 7-6,
After starting slow and falling behind by 13, backup running backs Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon helped the Colts turn the game into a runaway, beating the Steelers 30-13.
With a chance to take the lead in the AFC South, the Colts again laid an egg in Atlanta, losing to the lowly Falcons. Back at home against the Raiders, a few late penalties on Las Vegas helped the Colts eliminate the Raiders from playoff contention and put the Colts in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC south with Houston and Jacksonville.
The following week would be a win or go home game against Houston and barring a Jacksonville loss, the winner would be the division champion.
After an opening drive field goal by Indianapolis, the Texans scored on their first offensive play and led the Colts by 8 at halftime. A long TD run by Taylor and a two-point conversion tied the game up in the third quarter.
After the Colts missed a field goal, the teams would trade field goals to tie it at 17. Houston went down and scored late in the fourth, but missed the extra point which only gave them a six point lead and gave the Colts a chance to win it.
The Colts drove the ball all the way down to the Houston 15 yard line and faced a 4th and 1 with one minute to go. Minshew threw the ball behind running back Goodson, who dropped the ball on what would’ve been a sure first down and possibly a touchdown. The game was over and so was the Colts’ season. The heartache continued the next day as the Titans beat the Jaguars, and gave Houston the division crown.
Despite everything that happened this season with Jonathan Taylor, losing Anthony Richardson, releasing team leader Shaq Leonard, Grover Stewart’s suspension, the constant injury problems and having to rely on young, inexperienced players in big roles, the Colts still managed to finish the season with a 9-8 record and were in the running for a division title until the very last play.
The future is bright in Indianapolis with the return of Anthony Richardson, new players that left their mark like EJ Speed and Josh Downs and veterans like Deforest Buckner, Kenny Moore, Zaire Franklin and Michael Pittman Jr. coming back in 2024. The Colts will be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL next season.
