Colts and Saints aim return to .500 after tough losses

Both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints have dropped their last two games and are coming off of defeats that were decided in the closing minutes.

When the Saints and Colts play in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, both teams will be looking to get back to their previous record of 3–4.

For the first time this season, the Colts have dropped three straight games, and their four losses have been separated by a total of 17 points.

In this league, “I think it comes down to the details,” said Shane Steichen, the first-year coach of Indianapolis. “I believe that we must continue to be prepared and focused. We’re doing a great deal of good, in my opinion.”

“When you get into November, December, you find out teams that either are climbing or they’re going to start falling off, so we’ve got to make sure as a football team that we’re climbing.”

Last Sunday, Indianapolis was defeated 39-38 by visiting Cleveland, who scored a touchdown with 15 seconds left.

In place of freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson, who had shoulder surgery that ended his season, Gardner Minshew made his second straight start. Minshew rushed for two more touchdowns and completed 305 yards of passing with two touchdowns.

However, in his last two starts, he has turned the ball over eight times, lost three fumbles, and threw an interception.

On New Year’s Day, Minshew relieved an injured Jalen Hurts for the Philadelphia Eagles. Earlier in the season, Minshew threw an interception that Marshon Lattimore recovered 12 yards for a score in the fourth quarter of a 20-10 victory over New Orleans.

“The No. 1 thing we have to do moving forward is protect the football,” said Steichen. “You know these are all close games and you’ve got to find ways to win them at the end.”

Last Thursday, the Saints were down the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 24-9 at the halfway point of the fourth quarter. After the Jaguars scored a game-winning touchdown, New Orleans tied the score with 15 straight points, but with 21 seconds remaining, they turned the ball over on downs.

Derek Carr, quarterback for the Saints, said, “We’re getting better and we’re going to be OK.” But time is running out. The present is emphasized. Although we are really optimistic and supportive, we certainly sense pressure to succeed.”

The extra time between games, according to New Orleans coach Dennis Allen, allowed the coaches and players “to talk about a lot of different things.”

“We had a lot of good conversations,” said Allen, “but now it’s time to do it.”

In the next two weeks, New Orleans will play three games against teams from the AFC South. Four days prior to the Jaguars game, the team had lost 20-13 in Houston.

Alvin Kamara, the starting running back, and James Hurst, the offensive tackle, both had ailments that kept them out of practice on Wednesday. Nine players were limited in practice, including starting tight end Juwan Johnson (calf), who has missed the previous four games.

Chris Olave, a wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, is anticipated to play against the Colts after being taken into custody on Monday night on accusations of reckless driving.

Leading rusher Zack Moss (elbow/heel) and three Colts starters, cornerback Julius Brents (quad), tight end Kylen Granson (concussion), and tackle Braden Smith (hip/wrist), did not practice on Wednesday.

According to the Indianapolis Star, Brents, the Colts’ best cover corner since Dallis Flowers tore his Achilles in Week 4, is anticipated to miss more than a week after suffering a quad injury during Sunday’s defeat.