Heading into Week 9, the Indianapolis Colts were riding high as one of the best teams in the NFL. Even as everyone assumed their success was nothing more than luck, week after week, quarterback Daniel Jones stunned the league with exceptional play and head coach Shane Steichen's leadership.
Given that the Pittsburgh Steelers have had an up-and-down season so far, while the Colts seem Super Bowl-bound. It didn't seem likely that Indy would have any issue claiming another victory. Instead, the Colts seemed to fall apart, with Jones specifically having his worst day yet this season.
This loss is more than just a speed bump on the Colts' road to the playoffs; it calls into serious question whether or not the Colts actually are as good as everyone believed they are. Of course, one bad game doesn't doom the entire season, but it gives fans reason to be concerned.
Can the Indianapolis Colts reverse the trend before it’s too late?
The Colts started off the game well enough, getting to an early lead in the first quarter. But from there, things quickly went downhill. While the Indianapolis defense did well enough, the offense crumbled, with more turnovers in one game than the Colts have given up all season.
This particular loss is notable, however, as it could be a sign of a larger issue. The Colts have not won in Pittsburgh since 2008, and they only just beat the Jaguars last season for the first time in 10 years. The Colts will take on the Jaguars twice in the coming weeks, as well as the Texans and other difficult opponents: the Chiefs, the Seahawks, and the 49ers, to name a few.
For the first time in the season, the Colts have arguably had a real test. They failed, this one time. The bigger question now becomes how they will come back. They're still on top in the AFC South, and a lot would need to go wrong the rest of the season to truly spell doom for Indy. There is still every chance the Colts can end up division champions and make it to the playoffs.
Quenton Nelson pointed out that there is an opportunity here for the Colts. Losing isn't the end of the world if you learn from it. And the Colts need to learn from it, and fast. With the toughest stretch of the season ahead of them, the mistakes the Colts made against the Steelers can't be repeated.