Colts can’t close the deal, lose close one in Philly

The Colts played a tough game in Philly today, but just couldn’t make plays down the stretch when it mattered. This is a common theme with this team over the last few years.

Andrew Luck had a chance to lead the Colts on a game winning drive. They had the ball at the Eagles 11 yard line. They had four chances to score a touchdown, and they couldn’t. This game is going to sting because they had such a good opportunity to win.

Early on, it looked bad. The offense sputtered and the defense couldn’t stop the Eagles. But they were able to keep it within 3 going into the second half. The defense was able to keep the Eagles from scoring touchdowns and instead settling for field goals.

But then the same thing started happening to the Colts offense. They had several opportunities to score touchdowns in the red zone. They had to settle for red zone field goals 3 times. They went for it on fourth down the final time and still couldn’t score.

The lack of converting in the red zone is what ultimately cost the Colts this game. They dropped two touchdown passes and had some questionable play calling. If the Colts covert even once on any one of those opportunities, they win this football game.

Penalties also killed the Colts. They had 11 penalties. Four of those were on the Eagles game winning touchdown drive, including one on a fourth and five after the Colts had stopped them. That drive and lack of discipline is another huge reason why the Colts lost.

There were positive signs in this game no doubt. But the story of this game is that the Colts had a really good shot to win and blew another 4th quarter lead.