How, in god’s name, do you lose a 33-point lead? How do the Indianapolis Colts get outscored 39-3 in the second half and overtime and lose the game?
How does Matt Ryan, a model citizen, class personified, and just an exceptionally excellent human being, as a starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts or the Atlanta Falcons, find himself as part of two of the greatest collapses in NFL History, one being in the Super Bowl?
These are the questions that the Men in Blue/White have to answer after blowing the largest lead in the history of professional football in their 39-36 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota now has now clinched the NFC North as a result, and yes, Kirk Cousins is sure to like that.
Oh, and one more question, what can Jeff Saturday say right now? For weeks, the former All-Pro has been the target of beration for being hired as the head coach of the Colts in relief of Frank Reich, due in large part to the process in which it went down (coincidentally, Reich orchestrated the largest comeback in NFL History).
After winning his first game against the Raiders, Saturday’s team has now lost four straight, including having 50+ points dropped on them by Dallas on Sunday Night Football earlier this month. At 4-9-1, playoffs are out of the question, and the offseason will be one to watch.
The Indianapolis Colts hit rock bottom in their historic collapse against the Minnesota Vikings
The flight back to Indianapolis International Airport from Minneapolis is usually a two-hour journey. But this loss will make the flight feel as long as the longest flight in the world. Moreover, if the players feel like they did in the locker room after what just happened, it’ll get worse.
Strange, silent Colts' locker room this afternoon in Minnesota. Most players were in utter shock, and it was hard for them to find the words. Most didn't know they were on the wrong side of the biggest collapse in NFL history.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 18, 2022
Story to come @TheAthletic.
You just have to question just how this will play out for the rest of the year. With no real solution in sight this year and the draft not exactly doing the Colts many favors, you have to wonder what’s next.
There are still some good pieces on this team, specifically the offensive line, but the problem is that several holes still need to be addressed. That includes the quarterback position. For all the good that Ryan has done, it’s time for a new face. The Colts have gone through six starting quarterbacks since Andrew Luck retired, including this season with Ryan and former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger.
Additionally, if Saturday shows that he is not the right answer at the position, it may be time to start searching for another leader, including the general manager. Chris Ballard has shown the ability to draft good players, but continued misses at the quarterback position aren’t doing any favors. All in all, there’s nothing positive about football in the Hoosier state right now, and this historic collapse only re-emphasized that notion.
Such a shame, but as Bill Parcells once famously said, you are what your record says you are. That means a losing record and the bearer of the biggest collapse in NFL History. Ouch.