Indianapolis Colts lose to the NY Giants in Week 17 embarrassment

After a humiliating first half, the Indianapolis Colts were looking to rebound in a game that they have to win if they want a chance at making the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Colts were utterly destroyed by the New York Giants in the first half, an utter embarrassment considering the Giants are the worst team in the league, and have yet to win at home so far this season.

The second half unfurled in similar fashion, with the New York Giants easily getting a touchdown on the kickoff return, without anyone from the Colts there to stop them.

At 28-13, the Colts were now two touchdowns behind.

There were calls by some Colts fans to bench Flacco and send third string QB Sam Ehlinger in for the second half, but Flacco came back out onto the field, and he connected with Michael Pittman, Jr. for a first down. Jonathan Taylor kept the drive going on the next few plays, running for a first down, and then, a touchdown.

That touchdown couldn't have come at a better time, as the Colts needed to respond strongly to that 100-yards kickoff return. Thankfully, Taylor was able to show the explosiveness he's so well known for, and get the Colts back to within just one touchdown.

The defense finally came alive, forcing the Colts to not only go three-and-out, but E.J. Speed and Zaire Franklin knocked the ball out and forced a fumble. The Giants recovered the ball, but were forced to punt it away.

Flacco came out seeming more determined than in the first half, connecting with Pittman in a 32-yard pass, while Jonathan Taylor was just short of getting a first down. On 4th and inches, head coach Shane Steichen opted to go for it, and Taylor literally leaped over the pile in an effort to make the first down.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and the Giants took over at their own 23 yard line.

The Giants started with a false start, and Zaire Franklin was everywhere on this drive, keeping the offense from doing anything the first two plays. But on 3rd and 8, Drew Locke completed a nine yard pass for a first down.

Another penalty pushed the Giants back to 1st and 15, but they quickly made up for it with a 12-yard gain. The defense was able to keep the run blocked, and faced a huge third down. On 3rd and 3, they were able to keep the Giants offense contained, and despite being in their own territory, the Giants opted to try for the first down on 4th and 1. The defense made a huge stop here, with Jaylon Jones keeping Tyrone Tracy from getting that first down.

Jonathan Taylor attempted a run which resulted in a loss of one yard, and that brought an end to the third quarter, as Flacco and the Colts offense looked to get another touchdown and tie the game.

Flacco attempted a deep pass to Alec Pierce, who was under heavy coverage, and it went nowhere, bringing the Colts to a third down. He attempted a pass to Josh Downs, which would have been a first down, but it was incomplete, and the Colts squandered the opportunity the defense just handed them.

Fortunately, the Colts defense stepped it up once again, stopping the Giants and forcing them to go three-and-out.

Moving into Giants territory, Flacco connected with Pittman and Downs in back-to-back plays, with Jonathan Taylor contributing on a few plays. They capped it off with a touchdown pass from Flacco to Pierce, and Steichen went to go for the extra point.

Steichen tried to go for another of his trick plays, and it was once again, a failure. Flacco passed the ball to Pittman, who then tried to throw a lateral pass to Taylor, who fumbled it. So while the Giants' lead was narrowed to just two, they were still in the lead.

That two-point lead lasted just minutes, though, as Malik Nabers responded with a 59-yard touchdown. The Colts were right back to being one touchdown behind.

With 8:39 left in the game, Flacco started off the drive with a 49-yard bomb to Alec Pierce which was -- amazingly -- successful. He followed that up with a pass to Downs just short of the first down, and then way overthrew a pass to Adonai Mitchell. On 3rd and 7 in the end zone, Flacco was able to get his second touchdown of the game with a pass to Pittman.

This time, Steichen just went for the field goal, which was good, bringing the score to 35-33.

The defense needed to make a stop here more than ever, but the Giants quickly moved into Colts territory. They also set themselves up for another touchdown, with a 35-yard pass Wan'Dale Robinson in which numerous attempts to stop the play failed. The drive ended with Locke running in for a touchdown himself, putting the Giants ahead to 42 points.

iIt has been almost a year since the Giants scored over 35 points in a game. But against the Colts, they made it look easy.

To make matters worse, Flacco threw another interception, giving the Giants the ball back in the red zone in the last minutes of the game. The defense kept them from another touchdown, but the Giants managed to get a field goal, giving them 45 points.

Down 12 points, the Colts got themselves a holding penalty on the return, putting them at 1st and 20 with just over two minutes left in the game. Instead of driving down the field, Bernhard Raimann missed a block, which led to Flacco being sacked, and then fumbling the ball, which was recovered by the Giants.

The Giants won their first home game of the season, with a score of 45-33, and the Colts have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. But after this game, the real question may be if the Colts ever deserved to be in the playoffs to begin with.