A late collapse leaves the Colts on the outside looking in.
The Colts allowed 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and lost, 31-13, to the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
Colts’ Fourth-Quarter Struggles Doom Playoff Hopes After Loss to Broncos
The Indianapolis Colts saw their playoff aspirations take a significant hit in Week 15, falling to the Denver Broncos 24-17 in a game defined by late-game mistakes and missed opportunities. After holding a slim lead entering the fourth quarter, the Colts faltered under pressure, allowing Denver to snatch a critical victory.
Late-Game Collapse
The Colts carried a 17-13 lead into the final quarter but failed to close the deal. A series of costly mistakes, including a missed tackle on a long touchdown run and a late interception, shifted momentum squarely in Denver’s favor.
“We didn’t finish,” said Colts head coach Shane Steichen. “When it comes down to crunch time, you’ve got to execute, and we didn’t do that tonight.”
Missed Opportunities on Offense
While the Colts’ defense struggled late, the offense failed to capitalize on key chances throughout the game. Quarterback Gardner Minshew threw for 215 yards and a touchdown but also had two critical turnovers, including an interception on a potential game-tying drive in the closing minutes.
Running back Jonathan Taylor, who returned from injury, was limited to just 52 rushing yards on 16 carries as Denver’s defense stifled the Colts’ ground game.
“We left points on the field,” Minshew admitted. “In a game like this, against a good team, you can’t afford to do that.”
Broncos’ Fourth-Quarter Surge
Denver capitalized on the Colts’ miscues with a clutch performance in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Russell Wilson orchestrated a methodical 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 12-yard strike to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The Broncos’ defense sealed the game with a late interception, ending the Colts’ final push.
What Went Wrong for the Colts
- Turnovers: Two critical giveaways stymied the Colts’ momentum, including one deep in Broncos territory.
- Inconsistent Run Game: Jonathan Taylor never found his rhythm, putting added pressure on the passing attack.
- Defensive Breakdown: A lack of late-game discipline and missed tackles led to explosive plays for Denver.
- Special Teams Miscues: A missed field goal in the third quarter loomed large in a one-score game.
Playoff Hopes Dwindle
The loss drops the Colts to 7-8, making their playoff hopes slim with just two games remaining. They’ll need to win out and receive help from other teams to have a chance at a wild-card berth.
“We’re not out of it yet,” said linebacker Zaire Franklin. “But we’ve got to fix this fast and play our best football moving forward.”
What’s Next?
The Colts will face the Houston Texans in Week 16, a team also fighting for playoff positioning. It’s a must-win game for Indianapolis if they hope to keep their slim postseason hopes alive.
The Colts’ inability to close games continues to haunt them in a season full of missed opportunities. As the playoff picture comes into focus, Indianapolis finds itself in a precarious position, needing both perfection and luck to extend their season.
For fans, the fourth-quarter struggles are a painful reminder of what could have been in a year that started with promise but now teeters on the brink of disappointment.
