The Indianapolis Colts lost to the New York Giants, 45-33, in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season.
Following an inexcusable collapse against the lowly New York Giants on Sunday, Indianapolis Colts (deservingly) were eliminated from making the playoffs in 2024.
COLTS’ DEFENSIVE ISSUES CONTINUE AS THEY NO-SHOW AGAINST AWFUL GIANTS’ OFFENSE
Sunday was, yet again, such a disappointing loss for the Colts. Fittingly, it was Indianapolis’ defense that deserves the blame for such an awful performance against a below-average team like the New York Giants. For starters, entering Sunday’s contest, the Giants were averaging 14.3 points per game. In the first half alone, New York had surpassed that, scoring 21 points on three touchdown drives. At one point, Indianapolis trailed 21-6 and gave up significant gains on third-and-longs again.
The Giants, who were on pace to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and on a 10-game losing streak, hadn’t won a single game at home this season. That changed Sunday, thanks to the Colts’ worst defensive outing of the season. Indianapolis’ defense gave an already-lifeless team hope early on, and it came back to bite them in the worst way.
38 points were put up by the Giants’ offense on Sunday (45 total), by far their most of the season. Drew Lock had a career day as well, completing 17-of-23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Speaking of career days? Giants’ rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers also hauled in seven receptions for a career-high 171 yards and two touchdowns. The same issues that have plagued Indy’s defense this season, including the inability to tackle in open space and create pressure in key situations, hurt them majorly on Sunday.
Far too often this season, the Colts’ defense has allowed for these types of performances to take place, and Sunday’s effort was as inexcusable as it gets for the franchise. Resources have been invested into Indy’s defense. As it currently stands, whether it’s a personnel issue or schematic issue doesn’t necessarily matter. This type of performance from Indy’s defense, in a make-or-break game with possible playoff implications on the line, can’t take place. Whether the organization will make changes remains to be seen.
COLTS’ OFFENSE DOES ITS PART IN 33-POINT SHOWING AGAINST GAINTS
The Colts’ loss Sunday doesn’t belong to their offense. Not even remotely, in my opinion. With veteran quarterback Joe Flacco thrust into the starting lineup, things got off to a slow start, with Flacco throwing an interception on the Colts’ first possession of the game. But the 39-year-old bounced back nicely with a 330-yard, two-touchdown performance in the second half Sunday. Wide receivers’ Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce benefitted from Flacco’s big day through the air. Pierce continued to add to his strong 2024 campaign with six receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. Pittman Jr., meanwhile, hauled in nine receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. Even running back Jonathan Taylor had a strong outing, rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.
In today’s NFL, 33 points should be more than enough to come away with a win. Indianapolis had two wideouts surpass the 100-yard receiving mark in the aforementioned Pittman Jr. and Pierce. Taylor’s seventh 100-yard rushing performance this season kept the Colts in the game in the second half. The efforts of those three players alone should have been enough to help the team come away with a win. Instead, Indy’s defense couldn’t do its part, and the organization will now miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season.
The Colts’ defense put the offense in more tough spots than they would’ve liked. Indianapolis’ offense responded with multiple touchdown drives while only punting once time the entire game. While their efforts didn’t end with the result they’d hoped for, credit is certainly due to head coach Shane Steichen and Co.
