The promising bid for a statement road win unraveled in the second half as the Indianapolis Colts were stunned by the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s 27-20 loss at SoFi Stadium.
The promising bid for a statement road win unraveled in the second half as the Indianapolis Colts were stunned by the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s 27-20 loss at SoFi Stadium.
The Colts fell apart once again in perhaps the worst performance since the late 2024 season collapse at Mile High and the Meadowlands. Second-year receiver Adonai Mitchell had two critical blunders that cost the Colts 14 points, cost himself his first career touchdown and directly impacted Indy’s chance to remain undefeated. Mitchell made a spectacular catch in stride to convert a third down, spun around to avoid Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbers Jr., then raced down the sideline for what should have been a go-ahead TD. But the second-year receiver tried to switch the ball placement to his right hand and extend the ball, but it slipped right out of Mitchell’s hands in front of the goal line and through the back of the end zone for an unfortunate turnover.
Later in the fourth quarter, the Colts seemingly had retaken the lead on a 53-yard TD run by running back Jonathan Taylor, but a holding penalty against Mitchell negated another explosive score and instead set the offense back behind the sticks.
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones completed 24 of 33 passes for 262 yards and one passing touchdown, but was picked off twice in the loss. Both interceptions were caught by Rams safety Kam Curl to terminate the Colts opening drive and final drive of the game to seal their fate.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford engineered two critical scoring drives at the end of each half, including the 88-yard haymaker to receiver Tutu Atwell with just 1:33 left to play. The Rams (3-1) answered back as Stafford orchestrated a 96-yard drive in the final two minutes of the first half, connecting with veteran receiver Davante Adams for a 10-yard touchdown to give the Rams a 13-10 lead heading into the locker room. The Rams needed just one play to capitalize as the Colts fielded just 10 players, plus cornerback Mekhi Blackmon fell down to allow a wide open Atwell break free for the game-winning score.
After both kickers traded field goals early, the Colts seized their first opportunity as head coach Shane Steichen successfully challenged a failed QB sneak on fourth down to take possession inside Rams territory. The Colts marched deep into Rams territory with consecutive completions to receiver Josh Downs. Faced with fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line, Jones fed rookie Tyler Warren on a fullback dive to bulldoze his way into the end zone for his first career NFL touchdown to take a 10-3 lead. Warren caught five passes for 70 receiving yards and added a rushing TD.
Indianapolis showed resilience and retaliated by piecing together an 11-play, 90-yard drive to retake the lead in the fourth. With time winding down in the third quarter, Jones connected with receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for a 17-yard strike to breach Rams territory. Early in the fourth, Jones hit receiver Ashton Dulin for 11 yards on third down to keep the drive alive. Jones found Warren for a 23-yard strike to set up shop with first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, then hit Pittman on a quick slant for a 2-yard touchdown to take a 17-13 lead.
The Colts defense terminated the Rams drive on the very next snap as newly acquired cornerback Mike Hilton delivered a blow to jar free the botched exchange between Stafford and running back Kyren Williams. Defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore recovered the fumble to take over inside the red zone and set up Shrader for a 38-yard chip shot to increase the lead to 20-13.
With 3:20 left to play, Stafford engineered an 11-play, 83-yard scoring drive finished with a 9-yard TD strike to his favorite target, receiver Puka Nacua to tie it at 20. Stafford finished 29 of 41 passing for 375 passing yards and three touchdowns. Nacua, hauled in 13 catches for 170 receiving yards and a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The Colts were a few plays from a signature road win against a formidable NFC contender, but will have to begin October trying to not be haunted by another epic collapse on the road. Indianapolis hosts the Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) next Sunday in a Week 5 matchup inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Category: General Sports
