The Indianapolis Colts just fell short of making the AFC playoffs for the first time since 2020, losing 23-19 to division rival Houston Texans in Week 18.
The AFC South division was supposed to be one of the more mediocre divisions in all of football this season. The division started with two new first-year head coaches and two rookie, first-round quarterbacks for both the Texans and the Colts, while the Titans also drafted Will Levis in the second round, who eventually ended up starting.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were supposed to run away with the division given their talent and surprise return to the playoffs last season. But injuries and inconsistencies plagued them later in the season, which left the division open until the last game, making Week 18 must-see.
On Saturday night, the Texans (10-7) and Colts (9-8) had the opportunity to at the very least make the playoffs with a win, and at best win the AFC South with a Jaguars loss. In the end, the Colts loss really came down to quarterback play, which is why Houston was able to best Indianapolis. Of course, unlike the Texans, the Colts were without their star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who went down weeks ago with a season-ending shoulder injury.
After the abysmal last two seasons the Colts have had, where in 2021, they blew their chances of making the postseason at the very end, and last season, falling well short of expectations, only winning four games, it's hard not to count 2023 a success. Again, that's especially considering the circumstances the Colts were dealing with. However, any NFL team will tell you not making the playoffs will always be deemed a failure of a season, no matter what the circumstances were.
Like every week, there's someone that has to shoulder the blame — and it's no different in Week 18 for the Colts, who will be missing the postseason for the third consecutive season.
Gardner Minshew throws under 200 yards, offense lacks production
As mentioned, the Texans had the better quarterback, and it was obvious. At the half, Minshew had only completed nine passes and was well under 100 yards passing. But by the end of the day, he was 13-of-24 for 141 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.
With Minshew lacking production, Steichen leaned on running back Jonathan Taylor (except maybe when it mattered most) who carried the ball 30 times for 188 yards and a touchdown but also injured his ankle late in the game, yet still found his way back in the game on the final drive.
The offense, while able to outdo the Texans in total offensive yardage and first downs, they were just 1-for-11 on third down.
Matt Gay misses field goal
The Colts only had one lead the entire game, which after their first drive in which they went 11 plays that ended with a Matt Gay field goal to go up 3-0. But on the ensuing drive for the Texans, they scored a touchdown, going up 7-3, and never lost the lead after that.
Tied 14 all in the third quarter, the Colts went 41 yards in seven plays and had to settle for a field goal once again. However, Steichen asking Gay to hit a 57-yarder was probably a bit much to ask.
By missing the field goal, that gave the Texans good field position, near midfield. Five plays later, they took a three-point lead by hitting a 51-yard field goal.
Tyler Goodson drops 4th down conversion
Down 23-19 with 6:20 remaining, the Colts had an opportunity to not just tie but take the lead thanks to the Texans missing PAT on their last touchdown. In 12 plays, Indianapolis got down to the Texans 15-yard-line. On a 4th-and-1, instead of going with Taylor for the one yard, Minshew looked to hit Tyler Goodson, who hadn't caught a single reception all day, on a swing pass that was wide open. However, Minshew could have probably placed the ball a little better, but ultimately, Goodson dropped an easy catch that would have gotten the one yard and then some, and could have given the Colts the lead with the drive continuing. But it was not to be, and the ball was turned over on downs.
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