Following the Indianapolis Colts’ 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, head coach Jeff Saturday made the announcement that Matt Ryan would continue to be the team’s starting quarterback.
Matt will keep acting like the guy, Saturday assured reporters.
The Colts dropped to 4-7-1 as Ryan completed 22 of his 34 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also lost a fumble while rushing for 22 yards. Indianapolis’ offence only managed 290 total yards in the end.
The Colts are starting to lose ground in the AFC postseason race mostly due to poor quarterback play.
Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP, was acquired by Indianapolis from the Atlanta Falcons in the hopes that he would be able to resolve the quarterback problems that have dogged the team ever since Andrew Luck’s retirement in 2019.
Former Colts head coach Frank Reich made the announcement that the team would proceed with 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger as its starter for the remainder of the season after the 37-year-old Boston College product put in a stretch of below-average performance.
After the New England Patriots defeated the team in Week 9 and removed Reich, Ryan was reinstated to the starting lineup by Saturday.
Since the Colts have played 12 games, neither quarterback has performed well, as evidenced by their 11 passing touchdowns.
“It’s annoying. There’s no denying that, “Ryan informed the media. “The fact that one thing happens one week, another the next, and yet another the following week has definitely been frustrating. All of us in the building, in my opinion, share that sentiment and are dissatisfied with our current situation.”
The Colts are still in the running for the playoffs, but their remaining schedule doesn’t help them.
Their next three contests, against the Dallas Cowboys (8-3), Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and New York Giants, are on the road (7-4). During that time, they play the Los Angeles Chargers in their lone home game (6-5).
Indy does play host to the Houston Texans (1-9-1) to finish the regular season, but it will take a heroic effort to stay in the playoff picture at that point.
Ryan and the offence will need to play significantly better down the stretch if the Colts are to mount a significant comeback.
A.M. on December 5: IND vs. DAL