Penalties, missed opportunities kill the Colts chances of victory over the Lions

Despite a good performance from Anthony Richardson in the first half, the Indianapolis Colts couldn't manage to be productive when it counted in their battle against the Detroit Lions. Though the Colts certainly seemed competitive with good plays here and there, Jared Goff and the Lions seem to easily maneuver past the Colts defense, and ended the half ahead 14 - 6.

The Lions received the ball toe start the second, and Goff easily led his offense into Colts territory. A deep pass was broken up by several defenders; rookie Laiatu Latu got a hit on Goff, while Julian Blackmon prevented the catch, bringing it to 3rd and 4. Detroit still managed to get the first down with a pass to Tim Patrick. A penalty against the Colts for illegal use of hands to the face didn't help.

Inside the red zone, Goff missed a pass on 2nd and 2, and Goff was forced to run on third down, coming up just short. At 4th and 1, the offense opted to go for it. Zaire Franklin and Grant Stuard were there to stop them after a handoff to Jahmyr Gibbs, forcing a loss of yardage and keeping the Lions from scoring.

Anthony Richardson connected with Josh Downs for a first down, but an illegal hands to the face penalty against Quenton Nelson forced a replay at 1st and 18. Richardson then passed to Michael Pittman, Jr. for a first down and more, but a second pass floated right through Kylen Granson's hands.

Downs and Richardson connected again for a first down, but despite furious protests from head coach Shane Steichen, the refs called pass interference against Alec Pierce, a call that analysts said should have been a completion. The Lions followed that up with pressure on Richardson, who managed to get the ball away, but missed Josh Downs, taking the Colts to 3rd and 20. Jonathan Taylor had his first run of the game, for 14 yards, which wasn't enough. The Colts had to punt the ball away, with penalties once again shutting down promising drives.

As Goff led his offense down the field, Laiatu Latu got an epic strip sack, which was recovered by David Montgomery for the Lions. Despite 3rd and 9, Goff easily got the first down with a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The drive ended up with a touchdown run in by Gibbs, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Lions couldn't stop them from getting the extra point.

The Lions were now leading 21-6.

Steichen returned to planned quarterback runs, with Richardson easily getting the first down, breaking tackles along the way. Unfortunately, Jonathan Taylor went to toss the ball back to Richardson for a pass to Pittman, and threw it too low, botching the play. Richardson seemed shaken at this point, and missed his next pass. Richardson dropped back to pass on 3rd and 10, saw no one open, and ran it in himself, and was not only taken down short, but fumbled the ball.

At this point on 4th down, Steichen decided to go for it on 4th and 8. Under heavy pressure, Richardson ran and made a completion to Downs, but another offensive holding call - this time on Braden Smith - ruined that first down, and the Colts punted it away.

Down 15 points, the Lions got the ball back heading into the fourth quarter.

Fortunately, the Colts defense stepped up in a clutch moment, and snuffed the Lions' drive, forcing them to punt with most of the fourth quarter still left to play. A flag was thrown against Ronnie Harrison, Jr., with a penalty for running into the kicker.

On first down, the Colts got yet another penalty, this time a false start on Quenton Nelson, putting them at 1st and 15. Richardson had another dime to Ashton Dulin, who made the completion, but couldn't stay in bounds. Following that, Richardson was tackled; the referees ruled it an incomplete pass rather than a sack, but it still was lethal damage to the Colts' drive. On 3rd and 15, he tried throwing to Pierce, but there was heavy coverage, and it was almost intercepted. The Colts were forced to punt it away yet again.

At this point, Richardson was again clearly frustrated.

The Lions started their next drive at their own 45-yard line, for excellent field position. Once again, the Colts defense did everything they could to keep their team in the game, shutting down Goff and the Lions offense with three-and-out.

When the Colts offense came back on the field, Richardson got a completion to Josh Downs, who stayed on the field, clearly injured. Ashton Dulin was also injured, and on 3rd and 3, Richardson came under pressure, and threw the ball away - which resulted in a penalty for intentional grounding.

Goff led the Lions down the field again, though the Colts defense valiantly did all they could to prevent another touchdown. Ultimately, the Lions were still able to score, though they had to resort to just a field goal - and the Colts fell behind even more, with the gulf widening at 24 - 6.

Richardson responded with a deep pass to Pittman, which was completed, and referees called an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Lions. A deep pass into the end zone was missed by Downs, and on 3rd and 10, Richardson tried to run it in and was far short. Steichen opted to keep the offense on the field, and on 4th and 6, connected with Pittman, but it was far short of what they needed for a first down.

The Lions finished off the game with a leisurely drive that didn't get any more points, but kept the Colts from getting even a single touchdown today.

Ultimately, what will surely infuriate Colts fans is how this game could have been won; instead, it was dumb mistakes and pointless penalties that sunk it for them.