The Indianapolis Colts have a bevy of problems internally that need change and improvement. But they also have one massive outside problem: the Houston Texans, and the outside problem they represent is one that the Colts can't ignore—not now.
After suffering a demoralizing loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the Colts are now 2-4 in the AFC South, equal to the Texans' 2-4. That said, 2-4 means something completely different for each team, respectively. For the Colts, it's a ship-going-down 2-4. For the Texans, it's a we-can-still-make-the-playoffs 2-4.
One is clearly better than the other, which is why Colts head coach Shane Steichen should be under the most pressure right now, especially after his boss, Chris Ballard, was just relieved of his general manager duties. While the Colts fall, the Texans rise, and the pressure on Steichen is a little different than before.
Shane Steichen could watch the Houston Texans pass the Indianapolis Colts soon enough
How is it different? Before this weekend, Steichen was under pressure to fix Daniel Jones and the Colts' offense, especially the passing attack. Turnovers and missed opportunities plagued them game after game. Before Week 6, the Colts didn't have the Texans riding their tails. After Week 6, the Texans are hot on their tails.
For the second seed in the division, the Colts were in the driver's seat, having already beaten the Texans this season and having beaten Houston without a win until two weeks ago. Now, two weeks later, the Colts have lost two consecutive games, and the Texans have won two consecutive games. The tables are turning.
Suppose the Texans wind up catching up to the Colts and surpassing them in the division; that has to go against Steichen, among other things. Houston's rise over the past two weeks puts a ton of pressure on Steichen to right the ship in Indianapolis.
The situation ahead only gets easier for the Texans, as well, making things more serious for the Colts. Over the next three games, the Texans face the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Cleveland Browns. On paper, the Texans are far better than all three of those teams. After that three-game stretch, the Texans face the Colts again.
By then, the Colts could have six or seven losses, with meetings against the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Dallas Cowboys. It doesn't get any easier for the Colts, but it gets easier for the Texans.
Over the next several weeks, Steichen could be watching the Texans pass him by, putting his job further in jeopardy, if he's even made it that far. At this point, nothing is off the table.
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