Colts vs. Steelers: Special teams grades

The Colts lost a heartbreaker to the Steelers 26-24. Let’s just say the special teams played a big part as to why the Colts got the loss.

In a game where the Colts had to have a backup quarterback play, and backup center play, and play without their top two receivers, they still could have won the game. It came down to a final kick, and they couldn’t get it done. The special teams were very costly in this game.

Adam Vinatieri once again had a rough game. He had an extra point blocked and missed the game-winning field goal from 43 yards so badly that it brought up memories of Mike Vanderjagt. Coincidentally, both of those kicks were against the Steelers.

Vinatieri continues to be wildly inconsistent and continues to cost this team points. This is the second game this season the Colts could have won had Vinny made his kicks. It’s time for the Colts to do something about it. They need to bring other guys in.

It didn’t help that Rigoberto Sanchez didn’t put the laces out on that final kick. Laces definitely have an effect on a kick. But Vinatieri has kicked hundreds of field goals in his career. He can’t miss a game-winner that badly no matter the circumstances.

Sanchez wasn’t needed for punting duties until late in the game. But he did punt 3 times in this game. He did a great job pining the Steelers down at their own 1-yard line. That ended up resulting in a safety. Sanchez did a good job of punting when he needed to.

The only reason why this isn’t an A grade is because of a terrible penalty call that the refs made that gave Bobby Okereke an unnecessary roughness penalty for no reason when he tackled Ryan Switzer. But the punting unit did a good job today.

Chester Rogers fumbled a free kick right after the safety. That gave the Steelers the ball back inside the Colts’ 20-yard line. Parris Campbell fumbled the ball, but the Colts were able to recover it. It wasn’t a very secure day for the returners in this one.

The Colts have to be better in the special teams. It has now cost them multiple games, and changes need to be made.