There is no question that Week 15 was a big game for the Indianapolis Colts as it had huge playoff implications. Unfortunately, the Colts suffered an embarrassing loss in Week 15. This, in turn, left them on the far outside, looking in at the playoff picture. There is still a slight chance that Indy can get in with massive help. However, their focus needs to be on what they can control. As the 2024 NFL season ends, the Colts will look to finish strong and bring momentum for the future.
This young Indianapolis Colts team is probably one of the most inexperienced built teams in franchise history. For starters, they have a second-year, 39-year-old head coach. Their quarterback turned 22 years old this year. The most experienced receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., is just in his fifth year. Lastly, their starting defense, besides the line, is 26 years old, on average. By default, this team is prone to make mistakes, do embarrassing things, and surprise people. The Colts find themselves on the negative side of this, but they can end the 2024 season on a positive for the future.
How the Colts Can End the 2024 Season on a Positive
The Quarterback: Demonstrate Growth
The Colts 2024 season can be defined by one thing and that is the growth of Anthony Richardson. It is hard to believe, but Richardson started his 14th game in the NFL last Sunday. With that, he also only started 13 total games in college. Needless to say, at 22 years of age, Richardson is the most inexperienced starting quarterback in the league right now. The good news is that he has shown signs of life and ability in this league. He just needs to figure out a way to put all of the pieces together and be consistent.
That being said, the Colts organization knew he was inexperienced when they drafted him fourth overall. They also knew it would be a process to get him up to the standard of quarterback production the Colts are used to seeing. This season has not disappointed on this front, as one of the main reasons the Colts are 6-8 is due to inexperience at quarterback. In the short term, Indy might be better off with a veteran, but in the long term, Anthony Richardson is the hope for the future. Thus, ending the season demonstrating that he has grown is key for the organization moving forward. Things have looked bleak this year, but a strong finish would make all the difference.
The Head Coach: Continue to be Aggressive
One of the things that make Colts head coach, Shane Steichen, so good is his aggressiveness. Similar to Dan Campbell with the Detroit Lions, Steichen believes in his players and is not afraid to put it all on the line. However, it is the aggressive tendency of head coaches that can make or break their team. For the Colts, they have yet to break under Steichen’s aggressive nature, and it is due to his aggressive nature that the Colts are still in the hunt for the playoffs.
This nature paired with an inexperienced quarterback can turn into something special for the future. Every great quarterback had stability in his head coach. Therefore, if Richardson’s playmaking ability can stick with Steichen’s aggression, the sky is the limit for this Colts offense.
The Team: Win-Out
The most obvious way for the Colts to end the 2024 season on a positive is by winning these last three games. Winning three games in a row is something Indy has not done this season and it will need to happen for their playoff hopes to remain alive.
The task at hand is clear for the Colts. They have three winnable games against the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. All three of these teams are dealing with quarterback issues and have a combined eight wins. Now, before fans start getting ahead of themselves, winning out alone will not get the Colts into the playoffs. They would need the Chargers to lose two out of their last three games. This, unfortunately, is an unlikely feat. However, this is the NFL and on any given Sunday, any team can win or lose.
Regardless of whether the Colts make or miss the playoffs, winning these last three games will be a huge confidence booster and momentum swing toward the offseason. At the beginning of this season, one news outlet predicted that the Colts would not make the playoffs or even have a winning record. If they can flip the witch on one of those, this season could be a success.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy – USA Today Sports
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