The Indianapolis Colts are going through their worst stretch of the season. After a red-hot 7-1 start, the team is 1-3 in its last four games. Was the officiating questionable at times (and at the worst possible times for Indy) in Week 13's loss to the Houston Texans? Yes, but the referees didn't lose Indianapolis the game.
The worst call was when cornerback Kenny Moore II was called for pass interference with 14:51 left in the game, with the score tied at 13. Moore didn't commit a penalty on the play, and it shouldn't have been called. That much is true.
What is also true is that Houston had the ball at Indy's 25-yard line and 3rd-and-15 on the play when the penalty was called. In other words, the Texans were already in field goal range and likely would have taken a 16-13 lead. Instead, the Colts allowed a touchdown after the penalty. The defense could have gotten a stop, but didn't.
Don't blame the officials; blame the Indianapolis Colts' offense
Even if a delay of game penalty had been called on the Texans (as time did expire before the snap), Houston would have still been in field goal range and had another chance to pick up yards (or even a first down) to have a short field goal attempt. Houston likely takes the lead either way.
But the Indianapolis Colts put themselves in a position to lose the game. Ironically, as great as the season started with the offense leading the way, it is head coach Shane Steichen's offense that is letting the team down now. Instead of picking up five yards or more on first downs to help set up easier second-and-third downs, shorter gains are crippling plays later in the drive.
The third down offensive efficiency has become a glaring problem. Overall, Indianapolis has converted 40.7 third down attempts, 11th in the league. During Indianapolis's rough patch of the last four games, Indy has converted just 32.6 percent of third downs, and only 28.6 percent in the last three games (29th in the league).
Things seemed almost too easy for the Indianapolis Colts and their offense earlier in the season. The defense wasn't overpowering, but defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo got his unit to be solid even with loads of players being hurt. The team has been somewhat exposed now that the offense isn't working as smoothly.
The good part is that the Colts are still firmly in the playoff race and have time to fix their recent offensive woes. The schedule isn't easy, but Daniel Jones, even while gimpy, has shown he can run Steichen's system well. The offense could tick back up, and then there won't be a recent to place any blame on referees for a loss.