The Indianapolis Colts took on the New England Patriots Sunday night, both teams’ first meeting since the infamous “DeflateGate” game back in January. While the 34-27 final score wasn’t a complete blowout like many national media and fans suggested, there are two things to take away from this game:
1.) Colts coach Chuck Pagano may have cost himself his job with his questionable play calling.
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The Colts were playing as if they were sick and tired of getting their rear-ends handed to them by New England in the
Andrew Luck-era throughout the first-half of play. From a gaol-line fade touchdown to
Donte Moncriefon 4th and 1, to the onside kick attempt following Mike Adam’s pick-six off
Tom Brady(which appeared that Moncrief had recovered), the Colts were hanging with the Patriots for the majority of the game.
And then this happened on 4th and 3 at the New England 35-yard line…
Colts ran what literally may be the worst trick play in NFL history: http://t.co/9GnPQXOBDR pic.twitter.com/P0NFcqjWlS
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 19, 2015
The game might as well have been over from there, as the Patriots took over on a short field, as Brady found LeGarrette Blount for the 11-yard score, ultimately sealing the game for the Patriots.
The Colts kept this game close throughout the entirety of the night, and some speculate whether or not the outcome would have been different had the Colts not failed miserably on their 4th down trickery late in the 3rd quarter.
On top of the questionable play on that specific 4th quarter, the Colts also hurt themselves with multiple holding calls on the offensive line throughout the night.
If this team wants to have success against great teams, they must cut down and limit their mistakes. Point, blank, period.
2.) The Colts silenced the critics for the majority of the night with a closely-contested showing.
For months leading up to this game, national media and Patriots fans alike predicted a massive blowout for the Colts. I can’t even count the number of times I heard remarks along the lines of “The Colts have absolutely no chance to beat New England,” “Tom Brady will hang 70 on Indy next week!”, etc.
The Patriots didn't embarrass the Colts, as so many thought they would. The Colts embarrassed themselves w/ dumbest trick play ever.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 19, 2015
When it is all said and done though, a loss is still a loss, and the Colts now sit with a record of 3-3 with the New Orleans Saints coming to town next Sunday.
The Colts need to take the anger and frustration from this game and translate it into production on the field if they want to have success moving forward. They showed everyone that they may just be capable of hanging with some of the best teams in the league, but they must execute to the fullest if they have any aspirations for a deep post-season run.