Stampede Blue
Nothing changes if nothing changes
The past four seasons, including this one, have ended in major disappointment for the fanbase. To understand where we are right now as a franchise first we have to look at how the past brought us to this position.
2021: After a playoff appearance in 2020, the Colts traded for quarterback Carson Wentz. Even though there were some injury issues and boneheaded plays, the team was still 9-6 going into the final two games of the year, needing just a single win to once again make it to the playoffs. The first of the two was at home against the Raiders, tough out, but definitely one the Colts could have won. With the game tied at 20, and the Raiders facing 3rd and 10 just outside of field goal range, Derek Carr escaped what looked like a sure sack for Shaq Leonard, and hit wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who beat Colts’ cornerback Kenny Moore, and secured the eventual game-winning field goal. While that one hurt, all the Colts needed to do was beat the 2-14 Jaguars to secure their playoff spot. That is when the first catastrophe happened, as the Colts failed to show up, and were blown out by the Jags, who were not playing for anything. The game was 26-3 before a late garbage time touchdown helped make up the score a bit but the end result was the same: Colts clowned by the Jaguars and end up missing the playoffs. Tragic.
2022: Wentz was clearly not it going forward, so the Colts were quick to part ways with him, and went the veteran route again with former Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan, following the same path that helped the Colts make the playoffs in 2020. It was all nice in theory, but in practice it never materialized, as the offensive line issues nearly got Matt Ryan, and then Nick Foles, murdered, and the Colts had their worst season since the 2-14 year that resulted in Andrew Luck. The lowest point of the season was blowing a 33-0 lead to the Minnesota Vikings, the biggest blown lead in NFL history, second catastrophe. Embarrassing.
2023: New head-coach, new franchise quarterback, and some airs of hope for Indy. AR’s reckless style of play ended up in him injuring his throwing shoulder and missing the season, but the offense looked competent with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, and Shane Steichen was looking like a COTY contender at one point. The Colts were once again in a win-and-in situation, facing the Houston Texans at home in the final game of the season. A late game drop by running back Tyler Goodson on 4th down ended the Colts’ season, third catastrophe, with the team once again missing the playoffs in the final week. Disappointing.
Enter this season, the Colts were getting their quarterback back from injury, Shane Steichen had a full offseason to work with him, there were no holdouts by the star running back, and everyone was healthy....
