The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) are doing their best to shake off a monumental loss Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (7-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium, which includes evaluating the failures of the offense.
Averaging just 19.8 points per game over the last four contests, the Colts offense has hit a rut—one that will likely keep them out of the playoffs. While many fingers have been pointed at quarterback Jacoby Brissett, head coach Frank Reich doesn’t believe the unit’s failure solely falls on the former’s shoulders.
Reich is correct in that assessment. The offensive failures aren’t on one player. They never are. Brissett had a fine game before imploding for two second-half interceptions that buried the Colts, but the loss (and fourth-quarter collapse) aren’t all on him.
While the questioning of Brissett as the team’s future under center is warranted, the Colts also saw some pitiful play from the kicking team. Adam Vinatieri missed a kick wide right, and the special teams unit allowed two other attempts to be blocked. One of which was taken back for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Colts have also been dealing with a litany of injuries at the skill positions. Indy is currently without its starting running back, starting three wide receivers and their move tight end. Brissett’s faults should be acknowledged, but those factors must be accounted for as well.
Even so, the Colts find themselves in limbo. They aren’t technically out of the playoff race, but they are about as close as it gets with four games remaining. They currently sit as the ninth seed in the AFC playoff race without any tiebreakers to give them an edge.
Much of the blame for the failures this season go to the offensive side of the ball. Brissett deserves his share, but there have been problems throughout the entire unit.
