Season on the line. Playoff game in all but name.
The Indianapolis Colts knew what was at stake. It is win or go home time. And they completely messed it up. Stronger words may have been used in my head constructing that sentence.
That will probably be it for this year for the Colts.
‘Mathematically’ it is still possible to make the postseason. And that will probably be the message you see coming from the team in this week’s press conferences. But let us not kid ourselves, this year is probably done.
Season all but over and it is not even Christmas yet. Some achievement for coach Shane Steichen and his team. I have said it before, this is a talented roster. For the year to end the way it will, is a real disappointment.
With it being the festive season though, it is a natural time to both reflect and look ahead. By reflecting on the year, overall, it really has not been quite good enough. That probably sums up your 2024 Indianapolis Colts quite nicely: not quite good enough.
Sunday’s performance probably summarises the year as a whole. Some good parts and some parts that would not look out of place in a Greek comedy.
Honestly, I do not think I have the words to adequately describe the second half performance in Denver. Just type the words; Sideshow Bob, The Simpsons & Rake into your GIF search engine. The results there probably explain it better than I can.
It really was that bad that you could have picked my jaw off the floor with some of the plays I was watching. So bad it was almost funny. Except it was not really funny, it was just incredibly frustrating.
But it is done now. We have to look forward and what is left for this year, before all eyes turn to the draft in the Spring.
Still games to be played
Looking forward the Colts have three games left to play, and it would not be unrealistic to see them win all three.
That is no disrespect to their opponents, it is just another quirk of this team – they beat teams they should beat. All the teams Indy have left to play have losing records.
Of those games two are against division rivals. Division games always mean more, especially to fans. Rivalries are one of the most important parts of sports. It is what engages audiences worldwide.
Whilst I bring up rivals, I would like to end this piece with a question. The fixtures coming up mean a lot to me as a fan of Indy, as I have followed the team for a long time. But, and this is my question, when do your teams rivals become your rivals?
Do you inherit them automatically? Or does it take years of fandom to develop?
There is not a right or wrong answer, but I would be interested to hear everyone’s thoughts.
