Frank Reich knows the Colts can’t be inconsistent against the Bills.
The Indianapolis Colts had fans at the edge of their seats for all the wrong reasons on Sunday. After the Miami Dolphins fell to the Buffalo Bills, all the Colts needed to do was beat the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in order to clinch a playoff spot. A Tennessee Titans loss would’ve been a bonus.
After getting out to a fast 20-0 lead, Indy’s offense went silent in the second half, and the Jags came back to make it 20-14 with multiple chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Luckily for them, the defense clamped down and Jonathan Taylor saved the day.
But this is now the second straight week Indy has gone radio silent in the second half. The Steelers came back to embarrass them last Sunday, and the Jags had way too many opportunities to bounce them from the postseason. And, uh, with Buffalo on deck, this cannot happen again.
And Frank Reich knows it.
Frank Reich, speaking of this team's inability of late to put together a complete game: "At this next level (the playoffs) there’s no room for some of the inconsistencies we’ve seen in the last two weeks."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 4, 2021
He's right. Colts have plenty to clean up before they face Buffalo.
Those are some damning comments after a win and playoff berth, but that’s the reality.
The Colts can’t go from looking like a super team in the first half to a JV squad in the second, especially on the road against the Bills. They’ll put themselves in danger of losing by 20 or more.
It also didn’t help Rodrigo Blankenship missed a couple of field goals. It’s going to be even harder in the frigid temperatures in Buffalo next week. That goes for Philip Rivers, too, who’s largely been accustomed to playing in warm weather throughout his tenure with the Chargers. He can’t be missing throws and getting flustered in the pocket early.
Colts' 2nd half drives:
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 4, 2021
Missed FG
Punt
Interception
Punt
Punt
The name of the game is a semblance of consistency for the Colts. Yes, much easier said than done, but this team is more than capable of executing. They won 11 games and beat a number of playoff teams. None of this was a mistake.
They’re lucky to be where they are right now, but Reich’s comments are certainly a bit sobering as they prepare for a matchup against arguably the second-best team in the NFL.
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