The Colts’ latest stumble has done more than deepen their own mess. It has put Shane Steichen in the crosshairs while the Houston Texans start climbing.
Indianapolis is staring at a problem that comes from inside the building and another that sits across the AFC South. The Colts’ loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday dropped them to 2-4 in the division, matching Houston’s record.
But those records do not carry the same weight. For the Colts, it looks like a team sinking.
For the Texans, it looks like a club still in position to make a playoff push.
That gap matters, especially now that Chris Ballard has already been relieved of his general manager duties. Steichen is carrying even more heat, and the Texans’ surge only adds to it.
Earlier, the pressure centered on cleaning up Daniel Jones and getting the Colts’ passing game on track. The turnover issues and wasted chances kept piling up.
Now the conversation is bigger than just the offense.
Before Week 6, Houston was not breathing down Indianapolis’ necks. After Week 6, they are.
The Colts had been in control of the second spot in the division after already beating the Texans this season and holding that edge two weeks ago. Since then, Indianapolis has dropped two straight and Houston has won two straight.
The balance is shifting fast.
If the Texans end up catching the Colts and moving past them in the standings, that lands directly on Steichen and the rest of the Colts’ leadership. Houston’s recent push has turned the heat up on Indianapolis in a hurry.
The schedule only makes that harder to ignore. Over the next three games, the Texans get the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Cleveland Browns.
On paper, Houston is better than all three. After that, the Texans face the Colts again.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis may already be sitting on six or seven losses by then, with the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Dallas Cowboys on deck. The path ahead looks rough for the Colts and friendlier for the Texans.
Over the next few weeks, Steichen may be forced to watch Houston move right past his team, with his own future growing more uncertain by the day. At this point, nothing is off the table.
In Other News...
Colts Fans Are Starting To Believe But Steichen Faces Real Pressure
Even after a disappointing loss, there is still a surprising pocket of optimism around the Colts. Nearly half of the fan base, 47 percent, say they believe the team is headed in the right direction, a sign that the mood in Indianapolis is not entirely defined by one bad result or the upheaval that followed it.
Shane Steichen, though, is not getting the same benefit of the doubt from everyone. In fan voting, the Colts coach landed tied for second among the first head coach expected to be fired this season, and his security now feels tied directly to what happens next on the field. With the front office already in flux, the pressure on Steichen is only going to sharpen if the team's play does not turn quickly enough. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Is Back In A Colts Debate Fans Dread
Jonathan Taylor is suddenly back in the middle of a familiar Colts conversation, and it has less to do with what he has done on the field than with what has changed around him. The firing of general manager Chris Ballard has reopened speculation about nearly everything in Indianapolis, and Taylors name has surfaced again as a player who could draw interest if the franchise decides to reset further. For now, though, the Colts have not shown any appetite for moving one of their most recognizable offensive pieces.
Still, the chatter is hard to ignore because it fits the kind of autumn debate fans hate to hear around a key player. Around the league, the Giants and Vikings have been mentioned as possible landing spots, but Indianapolis is not entertaining trade talks at this point. If the Colts season goes sideways, though, that stance could become a lot more complicated before the deadline arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Have A Daniel Jones Problem They Cant Ignore
The Colts came out of their loss to the Titans with a familiar issue hanging over the offense, and it was hard to miss where the momentum was coming from. Jonathan Taylor gave Indianapolis a sturdy ground game, piling up 94 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the backs as a group kept churning out yards and helping the offense stay afloat when the passing game never really found its footing.
Daniel Jones admitted he forced plays during the game, and the numbers reflected the frustration. He finished 22 of 42 for 259 yards with two interceptions, a line that put even more pressure on the Colts to think carefully about how they want to move forward, especially when the run game has been the cleaner path. [Read more 🡒]