The Indianapolis Colts finally managed to get one in the win column. It took some late-game heroics and a game-winning field goal, but Shane Steichen and company managed to live another day after taking down the Houston Texans.
The Colts snapped a losing streak that dated back to last season. It was a hard-fought battle against a divisional rival that was also looking for its first win of the campaign, and while they got the job done, it wasn't perfect.
That's why Josh Downs doesn't want to rest on his laurels. Despite being the Colts' best offensive player in the win, the slot specialist was nonchalant after the win. If anything, he guessed they wouldn't win many more games playing this way.
Josh Downs wants to keep the Indianapolis Colts focused on what matters
"Got the first (win) at home against a divisional rival, so that's pretty cool but, you know, we gotta go back to work and keep going and clean up some stuff," Downs said. "... You gotta go back to work, Honestly, even though we won, we still got things to clean up."
Just like the late, great Kobe Bryant once said after going up in the NBA Finals: "Job's not finished." It was nice and all, but they have to keep getting better, and Downs made sure to spread some of his Mamba Mentality in the locker room.
That's the right mindset. The Colts clearly weren't as bad as most teams riding an 0-2 record entering Week 3, but at the end of the day, that's the only number that matters. And, with some late-game execution woes, the veteran wide receiver wants to keep everyone on their P's and Q's.
The Colts are far from done, but a 1-2 start to the campaign obviously gives them a narrow margin for error. Now, they have a date with a gritty Washington Commanders team that just pulled off a huge upset at home against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Downs and company will pack their bags to play in the Old Continent, which requires different preparation and some adjustments. That's why, as crucial as it was to finally get their first win of the campaign, they can't make a big fuss out of it; they must get back to the lab.
This is virtually the same roster that started last season 8-2, so they clearly have the potential to be much better than they've shown since then. They probably should've won by a margin on Sunday, and while that's encouraging, the mere fact that the game came down to the wire should be another wake-up call.
To be fair, Lou Anarumo's defense finally came to life, with DeForest Buckner giving the fans a throwback performance in the win. There are still doubts about the linebacker corps, and Sauce Gardner hasn't lived up to the hype yet, though.
But with Daniel Jones slowly but steadily getting into a groove, Jonathan Taylor wiggling his way on the ground, and Downs keeping the chains in motion, this team should be able to give anyone else in the league a run for their money.
For better or worse, the Colts have been streaky in the past couple of years. And with an overseas date with a team that has already shown they can play spoiler, there's clearly no room for parades or champagne showers. It's just Week 3.
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