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Steichen would not comment on decisions about two points and fourth down

Vaseline September 8, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts coach Shane Steichen didn’t provide much insight into his thoughts on two key decisions in the team’s season opener, which the team lost 29-27 to the rival Texans on Sunday.

But the Colts head coach was aggressive.

Indianapolis attempted a fourth-and-short on its first drive of the season, attempted a two-point conversion in an attempt to tie the score at 15-15 early in the third quarter and also went for it on fourth down while trailing by two scores late in the game.

Steichen’s decisions ultimately did not play such a decisive role in the outcome.

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Indianapolis starting quarterback Anthony Richardson made a miscue on fourth down but made up for it later in the game by bowling a Texans tackler for a touchdown, putting the Colts within two with 2:14 left.

Steichen could have gone for a field goal in that situation, which would have reduced the deficit to 29-23. He knew the Colts had to score the touchdown if they could get the ball back.

“I just went for it,” Steichen said. “I went for it right away, and obviously we scored on that one, on fourth down, instead of kicking the field goal.”

The Colts head coach could argue that Indianapolis was already close to the end zone (Richardson only needed to score from 3 yards out) and he couldn’t guarantee the team would have enough time for a potential game-winning drive.

Ultimately, Indianapolis’ defense failed to get the ball back, making Steichen’s decision irrelevant.

The same can be said of Steichen’s two-point conversion attempt earlier in the game. Indianapolis trailed 15-13 after Jonathan Taylor’s 5-yard touchdown run, and instead of taking the extra point, Steichen called a gadget play, a reverse to Taylor that fell short when the Texans spotted the design and stopped the running back just short of the goal line.

“We just went for the one that was there,” Steichen said.

The decision ultimately didn’t matter much. Indianapolis and Houston each scored two touchdowns the rest of the way; the Colts needed that two-point conversion to force a tie.