The Commanders' 89-yard drive over the final two minutes gave them a 17-16 victory
Plagued by the same turnover issues and short-yardage problems that have hurt Indianapolis all season long, the Colts fell 17-16 to the Commanders on a game-winning drive by Taylor Heinicke.
Indianapolis scored only 16 points off of all the changes, but the Colts offense looked more difficult to defend than it has all season, and Washington’s defense looked like it was on its heels. In recent weeks, the Colts had become predictable, using a short, quick passing game to minimize the line’s inability to protect, and defenses were starting to tee off on the approach.
Ultimately, though, the Colts were hit hard by problems that have cost them all season. Ehlinger and Jonathan Taylor both fumbled deep in Washington territory, and Taylor was stuffed on a 3rd-and-goal at the 1, ultimately leading to the loss.For most of the game, the Indianapolis defense was the driving force, limiting Washington’s impact and giving its new starting quarterback a chance to get his feet under him.
For most of this season, the Colts have put an impossible weight on the defense’s shoulders, and their backs broke under the weight in the final minutes.For two seasons, the Colts have been raving about Ehlinger’s makeup and mentality, saying the Texas product has the “something special” that cannot be taught at the game’s most important position.A lot of 24-year-olds in Ehlinger’s situation might have gone to pieces, given the way the game started.