The Indianapolis Colts closed out their preseason schedule with a 25-16 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game, the final opportunity for coaches to evaluate talent before the regular season, featured a mix of promising plays and costly turnovers.
First half: Early lead and Lions’ response
Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson earned the start and guided Indianapolis to an early 6-0 advantage, thanks to two field goals that put the home crowd in a hopeful mood. Detroit answered in the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns to seize a 13-6 lead. The Lions’ offensive surge shifted momentum and put the Colts on the defensive.
Colts rally, then stumble
Running back Riley Leonard entered the game and sparked a 60‑yard drive that culminated in a six‑yard touchdown run by DJ Giddens, tying the game at 13-13. However, the rally was short‑lived. Leonard threw an interception later in the half, and the Lions capitalized on the turnover with another touchdown, heading into the locker room with a 19-13 advantage.
Second half: Limited scoring and final cut‑down focus
Easton Stick took over quarterback duties for Indianapolis in the second half. The Colts added a field goal, narrowing the gap, but Detroit responded with a fourth‑quarter touchdown that effectively sealed the game. The final score stood at 25-16 in favor of the Lions.
Richardson finished with 7 completions on 10 attempts for 80 yards, while Leonard completed 3 of 7 passes for 48 yards and recorded the lone interception for Indianapolis.
Looking ahead: Roster cuts and season opener
With the preseason concluded, the Colts now turn their attention to the league‑mandated roster reductions. Teams must trim their squads to 53 players by 6 p.m. on Sunday, making the next 24 hours critical for players on the bubble.
Indianapolis will open the regular season on September 13 against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium, a matchup that promises to test the team’s readiness after a challenging preseason.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
