INDIANAPOLIS — The quarterback debate only figures to intensify.
Four more Joe Flacco turnovers, including a pick-6 on the Indianapolis Colts’ first offensive play.
A third straight loss and second turnover-fest from the 39-year-old quarterback — that’s six in two games by Flacco — while the erstwhile 22-year-old quarterback of the future — that’s Anthony Richardson — stands on the sideline with his helmet on but no prospect of getting on the field.
Did coach Shane Steichen ever consider pulling Flacco during the Indianapolis Colts’ 30-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills?
“I didn’t,’’ he said. “Until I say otherwise, right now, Joe’s our guy.’’
Flacco or Richardson? Richardson or Flacco?
Cornerback Kenny Moore II doesn’t believe it matters one bit. One of the longest-tenured Colts and a longtime captain had seen enough.
“I don’t think this has anything to do with who’s playing quarterback,’’ he said in the locker room. “I think that’s what everybody’s trying to make the excuse of, ‘We don’t know who’s starting …’
“I just don’t think the quarterback has anything to do with us winning the games.’’
The problem? Apparently too many players in the locker room lack the necessary approach.
“I don’t think everybody’s working as hard as possible, and obviously, it’s showing,’’ said Moore, who had one of the two interceptions of Bills quarterback Josh Allen and added seven tackles. “I’m not a type to sugarcoat it, honestly.
“I don’t think the urgency is there. I don’t think the details are there. I don’t think the effort is there. I don’t see everything correlating from meetings to practice to games, and it shows.’’
Again, what’s showing is a three-game losing streak and 4-6 record heading into Sunday’s road test against the New York Jets. The Colts remain in the No. 8 slot in the AFC playoff picture and upcoming meetings with the Jets and Denver Broncos loom large.
Moore was asked what needed to be done for the Colts to back away from the abyss. And remember, he represents one of the veteran/cornerstone voices in the locker room that carries significant weight. Think of defensive end DeForest Buckner or offensive lineman Quenton Nelson.
“You’ve got to define yourself,’’ Moore said. “You’ve got to define the identity of the team. We’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves how bad we want it.
“The thing that’s frustrating is you’re letting things leak into another week. Whatever it was last week, you’re only as great as your last performance. Once you step out on the field again, you’ve got a chance to change that narrative.
“But to go out and do the same mistakes over and over, I think that’s what drives me insane as a player. We are in November, and I just don’t see us making that jump from September to November. I’m seeing the same things. We’ve just got to start addressing it and not sugarcoat or beat around the bush.’’
The lingering nature of the problem clearly frustrates Moore.
Long after he had left the stadium, Moore tried to give his comments context.
“When we fall short of a win, my emotions are high,’’ he posted on X. “As a team captain, it’s on me to help right the ship. I believe in our team, and I love battling with these guys. Love.’’
And while he downplayed the impact of the quarterback, it’s becoming an issue that’s sabotaging the season.
Since Steichen determined Flacco gave the Colts the best chance to win and benched Richardson after the week 8 loss at Houston, the offense has stagnated. More than that, the self-inflicted wounds have been debilitating.
Flacco suffered an interception and lost a fumble in the 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The offense endured its worst performance of the season and failed to score a touchdown for the first time since Steichen’s arrival last season.
Sunday was more of the same. The defense held its ground for much of the game — the Bills led just 20-13 early in the fourth quarter — and Flacco’s mistakes were too much to overcome.
The Bills scored 17 points off his turnovers.
“Can’t turn the ball over,’’ Steichen said. “You turn the ball over like that, it’s going to be hard to win football games.’’
According to Pro Football Reference, the Colts are 5-56 since 1984 when they have at least four turnovers.
“Today was just turnovers mostly,’’ Flacco said. “There was times where we could kind of get going, then we turn the ball over.’’
He described his tone-setting pick-6 to open the game “an awful decision.’’ Cornerback Taron Johnson moved underneath Josh Downs and had a clear path for a 23-yard touchdown return.
“We were game-planning something,’’ Flacco said. “We were trying to get it and just made a bad decision.’’
His second interception came on the Colts’ second possession, when defensive tackle Austin Johnson wrestled a screen pass away from running back Jonathan Taylor.
The third? A high pass that glanced off a leaping Alec Pierce and was snared by safety Taylor Rapp.
“Stuff happens sometimes,’’ Flacco said. “Maybe a bad throw.’’
There were a few bright spots, such as Taylor finishing with 114 yards on 21 carries, and the wideouts being a game-long force. Downs had seven catches for 72 yards, rookie AD Mitchell six for 71 and Pierce four for 81 and a cosmetic 10-yard TD with two seconds remaining.
Defensively, linebacker E.J. Speed had the other interception of Allen, and pass rushers Kwity Paye and Grover Stewart generated sacks. Safety Nick Cross had a team-high 12 tackles.
But four turnovers were crippling, as was a failed fourth-and-2 at the Bills 20-yard line. On the play, the Colts were trailing 20-13 when Flacco pumped a few times while looking for a receiver before being buried for a 10-yard sack.
At one point in the game, the sellout crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium offered its critique.
Booooo!
It intensified with each Flacco turnover.
Booooo!
Taylor was incredulous after the game when asked about the booing.
“So, you think that was (at) us? I don’t know,’’ he said. “I heard ‘em. Like, ‘Dang, they booing.’
“Hopefully it wasn’t (at) us because that would suck, for sure. Geez.’’
The jeers were directed at Flacco and an offense that has scored two TDs in the past two games. And let’s be clear, at a team that’s 1-3 with Flacco as a starter.
“Shoot, we’ve got to give them something to cheer about,’’ Steichen said.
Flacco started the 189th game of his 17-year career. He understands the NFL is a bottom-line venture.
“Listen, this is a humbling game,’’ he said. “This league is tough. You’re going to have to deal with things like that from time to time. It’s unfortunate.’’
Steichen was asked why he still believed Flacco was the right guy to lead the Colts.
“Just his veteran leadership that he brings to our football team,’’ he said. “We look at everything every week. Right now, I’ll go back, look at the tape.
“Right now, Joe’s our guy.’’
Steichen insisted “it’s never about one guy. It’s the ultimate team game.”
“You’re going to go through adversity in the football season. It’s how you come through the adversity.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter/X at @mchappell51.
