Great things can come from pressure. You need enough pressure to make diamonds, and in the sports world, pressure makes for the greatest players and moments. When the stakes rise and the pressure increases, some meet the challenge and others collapse under the weight. The Indianapolis Colts are proving they subscribe to the latter.
The pressure was evident all afternoon against the Vikings. Brian Flores doesn’t sit back in Cover-2 and bend but not break. Flores might as well be nicknamed the “Instapot” based on the amount of pressure he builds on opposing offenses week in and week out. The Vikings blitzed 85.2% of Daniel Jones’ dropbacks. That’s the highest rate since it started being tracked. Talk about pressure. The Colts didn’t turn into diamonds, though. Four sacks and 108 yards from the quarterback was the result. The line couldn’t hold up, and the ball didn’t go where it needed to enough to win.
Not only did the Colts not meet the challenge of the physical pressure, they didn’t handle the atmospheric pressure either; the pressure that is palpable as the game winds on and possessions become gold. Late in the third, with a chance to extend the lead, Spencer Shrader missed a long field goal. Then, to tie, he missed again. All hope wasn’t lost as the Colts had the ball needing a touchdown and extra point to take the lead. Jones buckled and threw a game-clinching interception instead. This happened while the beads of sweat formed on Shane Steichen’s forehead as he struggled to maintain control. The result was another early lead, followed by the weight of pressure finishing the Colts off.
The theme has been consistent. How many times have the Colts been the first team to score a touchdown? How many times has this team wilted as the pressure grew? The Vikings were the perfect embodiment of the type of pressure the Colts have faced. A blitz is coming every single day. “Find a Way” is creating pressure, and as the games get tight, the Colts aren’t rising to the occasion. Pressure can make diamonds. It can also be incredibly destructive. The Colts are finding out how destructive it can be.