The Indianapolis Colts have officially exited the playoff race after a crushing 45-33 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Despite an impressive performance from quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, his struggles with mobility and decision-making led to three turnovers.
Not all was lost for the Colts, however. Receivers Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. shone bright in their respective performances. Pierce recorded nine targets, catching six passes for 122 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Pittman hauled in 9/10 targets for 109 yards and a score. Both players have shown explosive playmaking abilities throughout the season.
On the other side of the ball, kicker Matt Gay’s struggles with long field goals continued, as he missed a crucial 54-yard kick in the second quarter. The Colts’ defense, meanwhile, was abysmal, allowing a season-high 45 points to Drew Lock and the Giants. However, linebacker Zaire Franklin stood out among the defenders, recording 14 tackles for loss.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s unit failed miserably against the Giants, leading to speculation about his future with the team. Meanwhile, running back Jonathan Taylor continued to be the Colts’ driving force, handling 32 snaps and scoring two more touchdowns despite a two-point attempt falling short.
The Colts’ next move is uncertain, but one thing is clear: they need significant improvement on both sides of the ball if they hope to salvage an underwhelming 2024 season.
Source: https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-giants-risers-fallers-playoff-crushing-loss