The Indianapolis Colts’ rollercoaster season continued in Week 9, as they fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-31, dropping their record to 4-5. Despite a defensive effort that kept the team within striking distance, turnovers and missed opportunities plagued Indianapolis, ultimately sealing their fate in what has become a frustrating campaign.
The Colts’ defense held the Steelers to just 353 total yards of offense — a number that, on paper, should have been good enough to deliver a win. However, a lack of playmaking was the difference. The unit failed to generate a single takeaway, leaving no margin for error on the offensive side of the ball.
And error, unfortunately, defined Anthony Richardson’s performance.
Richardson was once again at the center of everything Indianapolis did, for better and for worse. His final stat line told the story of a dual-threat quarterback who can take over games but still struggles with consistency: 24-of-35 passing for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, along with 14 carries for 122 yards and two rushing scores.
His legs were sensational, giving the Colts life whenever the passing game sputtered. Several of his scrambles electrified the offense and kept drives alive. But his accuracy — or lack thereof — cost the team dearly. On the very first drive of the game, Richardson missed a wide-open receiver for what should have been an easy touchdown. Instead of striking first and setting the tone, Indianapolis settled for less, a theme that repeated throughout the afternoon.
The turnovers were even more damaging. Richardson’s fumble and his interception gave the Steelers additional possessions, and against a disciplined opponent like Pittsburgh, those mistakes cannot happen. With the defense unable to flip field position by forcing their own takeaways, the balance of the game tipped squarely in Pittsburgh’s favor.
The 38-31 scoreline suggests a back-and-forth battle, and in many ways, it was. Richardson’s late-game heroics with his legs kept the Colts within one possession, but each time Indianapolis needed a big throw, the inconsistency resurfaced. The flashes of brilliance are there — the arm talent, the mobility, the playmaking upside — but for the Colts to turn this season around, Richardson must take the next step as a passer.
At 4-5, Indianapolis sits in the middle of the AFC pack. Their defense continues to show enough grit to keep them in games, but without turnovers or short fields, the margin for error is razor-thin. Offensively, Richardson’s unique ability to dominate on the ground is undeniable, but unless the passing attack becomes more reliable, the Colts risk squandering what should be a playoff-caliber roster.
The Premier Madden League has shown time and again that quarterback play determines success. For the Colts, that means their hopes rest squarely on Richardson’s development. If he can cut down on the missed throws and costly turnovers, Indianapolis can claw their way back into contention. If not, this season may become defined by “what could have been.”
For now, the Colts are left searching for answers, sitting at 4-5 and running out of time to find them.
