Instant analysis of Colts’ brutal loss to Bengals
The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) could not get out of their own way in the 34-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) on Sunday at Paycor Stadium.
After falling 14-0 during the first half, the Colts were able to find some semblance of life just before halftime with two touchdowns to tie the game. However, they would come out extremely flat in the second half and wound up being outscored 20-0 over the final two quarters.
Here’s our instant analysis from the Week 14 loss:
What went right
LB Ronnie Harrison Jr. recorded his second interception in three games, taking it 36 yards for a touchdown.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. continues to be a model of consistency, posting eight receptions for 95 yards. He now has at least eight receptions in six consecutive games.
The run defense was better in Grover Stewart’s return, forcing the Bengals to average just 3.5 yards per carry.
The Colts have recorded a takeaway in 18 consecutive games.
Likely the only thing the defense did well was force the Bengals to convert just 3-of-11 (27%) of their third-down attempts.
What went wrong
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Matt Gay missed his only field-goal and extra-point attempts.
The Colts committed a season-high nine penalties, a few of which helped the Bengals extend drives on offense.
There was no push in the run game. The Colts totaled 46 rushing yards and averaged just 2.6 yards per carry.
This was the first game the Colts failed to record a single sack. They also recorded just three quarterback hits.
The Bengals were 3-of-5 in the red zone and kept the Colts offense from extending drives—Indy was 3-of-11 (27%) on third-down attempts.
The Colts defense allowed the Bengals to average 11.0 yards per pass attempt.
The Bottom Line
Considering what we’ve seen from the Colts over the last month, this is more likely a one-off. With that said, this was an ugly game. It was easily the worst they’ve played all season from an execution and discipline standpoint. Nothing went right for them in any phase of the game, and much of that was due to their own self-inflected wounds. The final four games of the season have become even more important, and they’ll have to turn around on a short week for a Saturday game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6).
