The Indianapolis Colts have officially been eliminated after their heartbreaking loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday night. The team looked like they were going to drive down the field to possibly score the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute left. However, on a fourth down and one play from the Texans 15-yard line, the Colts ran a play that fans will, unfortunately, remember for a long time.
Indianapolis Colts Fans React
While the running back should have caught the pass for the first down, Indianapolis fans are peeved that running back Jonathan Taylor did not run the ball for the first down, especially since he was the main reason the offense was driving the field. However, head coach Shane Steichen is under heavy fire for the play call, as Taylor was not even in the game.
Steichen decided that it would be best to throw the ball on a fourth-and-one play with a trip to the postseason on the line, and it completely backfired. Taylor was borderline unstoppable in the game, with a staggering 188 yards rushing with a touchdown. Their play call caused the Colts a playoff berth, and they have officially been eliminated from contention, ending their season.
Will Shane Steichen Be Fired?
As for Steichen, while he might be to partially blame for the horrific loss tonight, he has taken his team to a winning record and competing for a playoff spot until tonight. He has had to deal with injuries to quarterback Anthony Richardson, and Jonathan Taylor for a good chunk of the season, and several other injuries that could have set the team back much further than they are.
Indianapolis will finish the 2023 season with a 9-8 record and in third place in the AFC South division. It will be interesting to see what the team decides to do during the offseason, whether it comes down to trading and signing players, or making changes on the coaching staff. Will Steichen keep his job for at least another year, or will the team move on and seek one of the head coaches who are seeking a new team?
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