It has officially been 10 years since the Indianapolis Colts won a Week 1 game. On Sunday, it looked like Indy had a chance to snap that streak. Indy led the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-17 early in the fourth quarter, but unfortunately, the Colts collapsed down the stretch and lost 31-21.
It was a much more competitive game than anyone was expecting, and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson played well, completing 24-of-37 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and also carried the ball 10 times for 40 yards and one rushing touchdown. However, the NFL isn’t about moral victories.
The Colts had a chance to win on Sunday, and they’re surely disappointed that they didn’t. In the end, it was a few key failures that led to Indy starting the season 0-1. Here’s what Indianapolis must improve.
3. Colts must be more efficient on third and fourth down
In Sunday’s game, Indy was 2-of-12 on third down and 1-of-5 on fourth down. There were quite a few long third downs, which is a problem in itself, but the fourth downs were manageable. Indy went for it on 4th-and-1, 4th-and-4, 4th-and-1, 4th-and-5, and 4th-and-1. On all but one, the Colts ran the ball. The only conversion came on a Richardson run on 4th-and-5.
It’s great that Shane Steichen is being an aggressive play caller. It’s hard to argue Indy shouldn’t have went for it on any of the fourths, however, the Colts need to convert them. That’s especially the case since they were short yardage runs. Steichen is essentially challenging the offensive line, and putting faith in them that the can pick up a couple of yards. They were unsuccessful on Sunday, and that must change moving forward if Indy is going to win games.