Why are Colts out of the playoffs? Exploring 3 turning points in Indianapolis' 2024 season

The Indianapolis Colts came into the season with high expectations and their fan base could be forgiven for having such high hopes. The franchise added Joe Flacco for insurance, made some smart draft picks and re-signed key pieces to team-friendly deals.

However, it wasn't to be, as the Colts were recently eliminated from the playoff race. Their fate was sealed after a shocking 45-33 loss to the New York Giants. Following yet another late-season collapse, let's highlight when the Colts' regular-season performances took the vital hits to seal their postseason fate.

Why are the Indianapolis Colts out of the playoffs?

Here are three decisive moments from the Colts' 2024 season:

#1. Anthony Richardson's benching

Anthony Richardson was always viewed as a project quarterback. He wasn't the most polished passer in college, but his physical tools are Cam Newton-esque. That's why the Colts selected him with the fourth pick in the 2023 draft.

Unfortunately, Richardson's performances were subpar in Week 3, and the Colts decided to bench him in favor of veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco went on to start just three games before he was replaced as a starter by Richardson.

Such indecisiveness from the coaching staff and front office typically divides the locker room, and it's hard to disagree as the Colts season looked rather shaky from that point.

#2. Loss to the Houston Texans

The Colts lost their Week 8 game against the Houston Texans. They came into the game with a 4-3 record and could have gone 5-3 with a victory over their eternal rivals.

However, the Texans had their number and inflicted a 23-20 loss on Anthony Richardson, and Co. Richardson could only muster 175 passing yards, and the Texans took advantage of playing at home to lay down a mid-season marker. Furthermore, the game was the first in a three-game losing streak that essentially torpedoed the Colts' season.

#3. The loss to the New York Giants

The Giants have been eliminated from the playoffs for ages, and they were in pole position in the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes. Hence, the Colts fans could have been forgiven for fancying their chances ahead of Week 17.

However, Drew Lock did not get the memo as the veteran quarterback lit up the Colts in a 45-33 victory. Rookie star Malik Nabers had himself a career game and was pivotal in the Colts' elimination.

The loss was a painful one as the Giants were there to be taken and gained nothing from the win but a worse draft position. This had shades of Indianapolis' harrowing 26-11 defeat to the Jaguars under Frank Reich and Carson Wentz back in January 2022.

Shane Steichen will now need to meet with the top brass to discuss how to better tackle the 2025 season. There have been back-to-back late-season collapses, and something has to give. The Colts aren't going to waste the prime of Jonathan Taylor and other key franchise pieces.