Indianapolis – The Colts’ preseason finale ended in a 34‑6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night at the team’s home stadium. Indianapolis fans saw the Colts finish with just 164 total yards and a dismal 1‑of‑11 on third‑down conversions.
Coaching staff evaluates performance
Head coach Shane Steichen expressed disappointment with the effort across all three phases of the game. “Obviously, disappointed with the performance, all three phases,” Steichen said. “We got to be better on every phase of the game. That wasn’t us. That wasn’t up to our standard.”
Steichen also highlighted the need for improvement on both sides of the ball, noting that the Falcons’ 461 yards – including 164 rushing yards – exposed gaps in the Colts’ defense.
Quarterback rotation and key stats
Riley Leonard started at quarterback, completing 7 of 14 passes for 62 yards. Steichen described Leonard’s play as “up and down,” noting moments of promise but overall inconsistency, especially on third down.
Anthony Richardson took over for the second half, completing 3 of 9 attempts for 24 yards while being sacked twice. The limited production from both quarterbacks contributed to the team’s inability to sustain drives.
Special teams and position battles
On the kicking side, Spencer Shrader made field goals of 48 and 53 yards, while Blake Grupe missed a 38‑yard attempt. Steichen said the competition at kicker remains ongoing, emphasizing belief in both players.
The preseason also kept the competition for the starting running back, linebacker, and other positions open. Steichen praised running backs Seth McGowan and Anderson Castle for their effort and noted that the linebacker group continues to vie for roster spots.
Looking ahead
With the preseason now complete, the Colts will host the Detroit Lions next Saturday in their final exhibition game before the regular season begins. The coaching staff expects to use that matchup to further assess depth and make final roster decisions.
While the loss was disappointing, Steichen remained hopeful about the team’s potential, citing the belief and faith he has in the players competing for spots. The upcoming game against Detroit will provide another opportunity to gauge progress and solidify the roster for the upcoming NFL season.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
