The 4-5-1 Colts returned home this week for a showdown with the 8-1 Eagles in Lucas Oil Stadium. The all time series between the teams was tied at 10-10 coming into the matchup, with the Eagles winning the last three contests. This game was head coach Jeff Saturday’s second of his coaching career, as he looked to stay undefeated after last week’s win. The Eagles were favored by 6.5. 

The Colts lost this one 17-16. Indianapolis got off to an uncharacteristically fast start, primarily using the run game on a 10-play opening drive that ended in a Jonathan Taylor touchdown. Both offenses went quiet, trading punts for the rest of the first quarter and most of the second. The Eagles eventually got on the board with a chip shot field goal after a drive lasting 15 plays. After trading punts, the Colts came away with a field goal of their own right before the end of the first half. 

The second half opened with a bang, as Jalen Hurts was strip-sacked on the first play, but the Colts were only able to come away with another field goal to make it 13-3. Philadelphia followed up with a threat to score, but gave up a sack on 4th down to turn the ball over. A few drives later, Indianapolis got the ball into enemy territory, but Chase McLaughlin missed a 50-yard field goal, and the Eagles followed up with a 5-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. The two teams traded fumbles, then the Colts hit a field goal primarily from a 31-yard completion to Parris Campbell. With under 5 minutes to go in the game, the Eagles had a huge drive that ended with a touchdown run from Hurts on a pivotal 3rd-and-goal. Left with just over a minute left, the Colts got the ball almost to midfield, but a big sack by Brandon Graham and a false start forced Indy into a 4th-and-21, which they were unable to convert, and sealed the Eagles’ 9th victory of the season. 

Matt Ryan had a pretty decent performance, throwing 23/32 for 213 yards, but couldn’t get the job done in crunch time. Jonathan Taylor got 22 opportunities, but was stifled most of the game, rushing for 84 yards and a touchdown. Michael Pittman, Jr. caught 6 balls for 75 yards, and Parris Campbell caught 5 for 67. On the other side of the ball, Jalen Hurts had a decent day passing, completing 18 of his 25 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown, but also was the Eagles’ leading rusher with 16 carries for 86 yards. 

Final: PHI 17-16 IND

Analysis

Today’s game was a classic example of the Colts falling apart late in the game. Up 13-3 in the 4th quarter, Jeff Saturday’s Colts had one of the NFL’s best teams on the ropes, but fell apart on both sides of the ball. Despite the choke show by Indy, they exhibited quite a few positive changes in this one. The defense held a pretty potent offense in check, and especially honed in on the run game, as Miles Sanders had a very inefficient day. Parks Frazier seems to be starting to maximize the potential of the Colts’ offense by utilizing Jonathan Taylor as a workhorse back, and it’s good to see Parris Campbell turning into a weapon for Matt Ryan. Despite all the positives to look back on, the Colts need to start winning these games, even when they’re pretty heavy underdogs, if they want a shot at a playoff berth. 

Around the Division

This week was a pretty bad one for the Colts in terms of the division standings, because while the Texans lost to the Commanders and the Jaguars had a bye, the Titans beat the Packers on Thursday Night Football to pull even further ahead in the division. With each game the Colts lose, their division odds get slimmer and slimmer, especially as the Titans keep winning. 

Looking Ahead

The Colts will have an opportunity to get right in a huge game this week, as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Steelers, who sit at 3-6 coming into week 11, will first face the Bengals in the late afternoon slate Sunday. The 4-6-1 open the week as 3-point favorites in a game they absolutely must win in front of a primetime audience.