The Indianapolis Colts (3-4) suffered a heartbreaking 39-38 loss against the Cleveland Browns (4-2) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
A back-and-forth battle all day long, the Colts were on the wrong end of some questionable calls by the officials at the end of the fourth quarter. Regardless, it was another up-and-down day from Gardner Minshew, who committed four turnovers again.
This certainly was one of the wildest games in Colts history, a game that included eight lead changes. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson left the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and while he cleared the protocol, he did not return to the game.
Here’s everything we know from the Week 7 loss:
Final Score: Browns 39, Colts 38
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| Browns | 7 | 20 | 3 | 9 | 39 |
| Colts | 14 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
It was over when...
Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew fumbled on the final drive at the end of regulation, nullifying any chance the Colts would have of hitting a game-winning field goal.
Keys to the game
- The Colts offense produced 456 total yards, the most they have in a game all season.
- The offense was 7-of-15 (47%) on third downs and 3-of-4 (75%) in the red zone.
- Gardner Minshew once again finished with four turnovers. This time, he lost three fumbles and had one interception.
- The Browns scored 17 points off of turnovers. That number increases to 20 points if the blocked field goal is included.
- Myles Garrett could not be stopped. He had nine tackles (seven solo), 2.0 sacks, two quarterback hits, one tackle for loss, one batted pass, two forced fumbles and blocked a field goal.
3 Stars of the game
- WR Josh Downs: The rookie wideout continues to shine. He led the way with five receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown on a team-high six targets.
- RB Jonathan Taylor: This was a vintage JT game. He took 18 carries for 75 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 45 receiving yards.
- CB Kenny Moore II: The leader in the secondary was all over teh place Sunday. He had 10 tackles (seven solo), 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits and three tackles for loss.
Turnovers plague the Colts yet again
There was plenty of good from Minshew in this game, but he once again capped the team’s ceiling due to turnovers. It’s the second game in a row he’s committed four turnovers, including four interceptions and four fumbles lost. It was an impressive outing as a whole considering how well the Browns defense has been playing this season. And containing Myles Garrett was always going to be a pipe dream. But the Colts won’t be able to finish games if Minshew continues to lose the ball.
Injuries
- RT Braden Smith (hip/wrist) and TE Kylen Granson (concussion) were inactive due to injuries.
- CB Julius Brents (quad) suffered his injury during the second quarter and did not return.
- WR Isaiah McKenzie (concussion) left the game in the third quarter but cleared the concussion protocol.
Quick Hits
- With 130 scrimmage yards, RB Jonathan Taylor passed Joseph Addai (4,756) for the third-most yards from scrimmage by a Colts player in their first four seasons.
- The 69-yard touchdown run by Browns RB Jerome Ford is the longest play the Colts have given up this season.
- Minshew has eight turnovers in the last eight quarters. Opposing teams have scored 34 points off turnovers against the Colts in that span.
- The Colts recorded seven explosive plays in the passing game (16 yards or more) and three explosive plays in the running game (10 yards or more).
- Without Grover Stewart, the Colts defense allowed Browns running backs to record 29 carries for 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
- The Colts defense only allowed 12 points during the second half of the game.
- Minshew’s two rushing touchdowns are a single-game career high and they match his career total entering the game.
- The Colts have four losses when scoring 30 or more points in a game over the last three seasons, tied for the most losses in the NFL during that span (via Ed Werder).
- There were eight lead changes in this game.
What's next?
Colts head coach Shane Steichen will meet with the media Monday for a conference call before the team prepares for the Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints (3-4) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
