Colts robbed of easy TD by refs after comical Jets fumble overturned

As if the Indianapolis Colts need the officials to take scoring opportunities away from them, the zebras ripped a defensive touchdown right off the board in a season-defining contest against the New York Jets.

The Colts' much-maligned defense has been holding up well against Aaron Rodgers and a Jets offense that has some very interesting pieces with which to do some damage. Indy forced two three-and-outs in the first two possessions, though one of them should have been an easy Colts touchdown.

Rodgers dumped the ball off in the flat to tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who seemingly dropped the ball and let it squirt out of his hands. The Colts picked it up and ran it back for a touchdown, seemingly extending their lead to 10-0 in a game that could effectively end the Jets' season.

However, the officials stepped in and declared the pass incomplete, insisting that Ruckert never had control of the ball. With the Colts fighting tooth and nail to keep their season alive, calls like that are exactly what this team didn't need early in this one.

Colts lose defensive TD after refs make brutal overturn

Anthony Richardson has been the same guy he was since his benching. A few throws on shorter passes have been off the money, but he also connected with wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Josh Downs on big plays down the field.

While the Jets' defense is performing at a terrible clip since the firing of defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh, the still have multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro players on that unit. Every point will count, and it seems unlikely that a Rodgers-led offene will always look this inept against a poor Colts defense.

The Colts need to come out strong if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive, and they have answered the call. Even with the refs taking points off the board, they have shown the fight Shane Steichen was looking for after a moribund stretch of disappointing games.