The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises through the first four games of 2025. Coming into a season with low expectations and little excitement from their own fanbase, Indy got out to an impressive 3-0 start.
Coming into the year, a start like this one would’ve been a dream for the Colts, considering their uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position and a new defensive scheme. But the unbeaten start has brought about the question of if this is finally the team that gets Indianapolis back to relevancy.
While still at the center of discussion around the league, the Colts are no longer unbeaten after a 27-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on the road. The performance was good enough to earn a victory, barring a few plays.
The only problem? Those plays brought to light the issues which, if not resolved, will hold the Colts back from achieving their fullest potential in 2025.
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room — AD Mitchell. For a player whose career up to this point has been defined by frustration and a lack of opportunities at times, you would think Mitchell would be dialed in on making the most of the chances which do come his way.
With Alec Pierce sidelined with a concussion, Mitchell took on a larger responsibility in the Colts offense. It was a great chance for the second-year receiver to finally breakthrough and pair his talent with results.
Only issue? Mitchell let his golden opportunity go to waste. After catching a critical third down throw from Daniel Jones, Mitchell spun away from Rams defenders and had nothing but green grass between him and the end zone. All that was left — cross the goal line and give Indy a 20-13 advantage.
While attempting to switch the ball from his left hand to his right, Mitchell lost control inches before the goal line, fumbling the ball out of his grasp and out of the back of the end zone for a Rams touchback.
An 81-yard touchdown catch and run was all for nothing. Instead of giving Colts fans something to cheer about (while taking the weight of his first NFL touchdown off his own shoulders), Mitchell gave them flashbacks to the 2024 game in Denver, when Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball prior to crossing the plane, marking a total momentum switch in a 31-13 beatdown by the Broncos which began the end of Indy’s playoff bid.
It’s an unacceptable mistake. Simple. You just can’t have mental mistakes in close games, against great teams. The Colts didn’t just lose on Sunday, they beat themselves. Too many errors on both sides of the ball.
Fortunately, hiccups are correctable and coachable. When it comes to the fumble, it’s a chance to remind the team of the basics; don’t get too carried away in the moment. Mitchell’s holding call which wiped out a 53-yard touchdown run by Taylor is also an opportunity to hammer on blocking technique.
There are examples on the defensive side, too. Nick Cross and Charvarius Ward had a miscommunication which led to Davante Adams’ touchdown grab in the first quarter. Solution? Better presnap communication. With time and more game reps together, Cross and Ward should be just fine.
The big one, though, came on Los Angeles’ go-ahead touchdown. As Tutu Atwell took Stafford’s pass 88 yards to pay dirt on the first play of the drive, it later became apparent the Colts only had 10 players on the field.
Like Mitchell’s blunder, this is a mistake that just cannot happen if the Colts want to compete with the best. Coming out of a timeout, too. How does nobody notice there’s one man missing? The Colts had all their timeouts available and there’s not a person in the building aware enough to burn one to potentially save the game? That’s proof that Indianapolis has lots of growing to do before being considered a legitimate contender in the AFC.
Again, these issues can be ironed out. But Sunday was a test for the Colts, their first significant test of the season. While the loss won’t be defining, it’s a reality check and a wake up call all in one.
Better discipline is a vital component when it comes to hanging with the league’s elite. Make these same mistakes again, and you’ll be burned pretty badly.
Lucky for the Colts, they come out of their first four games 3-1. At the start of the season, I think that would’ve been seen as an optimistic outcome. The next four provide a chance to build on this start, with games against the Las Vegas Raiders (1-3), Arizona Cardinals (2-2), Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) and the Tennessee Titans (0-4). Have a repeat of the first four games, and Indy is 6-2 with two divisional wins, holding firmly onto first place in the division.
But fail to rise up to the challenge in the return to Sofi Stadium, regardless of outcome, and doubt will begin to creep in over just how far Indy can go in 2025.
