Indianapolis Colts' Kicker Matt Gay Had an All-Time Great Kicking Performance and The Colts Are Leading The AFC South
Adam Vinatieri who?! Matt Gay is the greatest kicker in Indianapolis Colts history!
Ok maybe that's a bit extreme, but we just witnessed one of the best kicking performances the NFL has ever seen. That sounds really extreme when I type it out, but I mean... going 5/5 from 31yds, 54yds, 53yds, 53yds, and 53yds, every kick dead down the middle. All in the rain on a muddy field. With Justin Tucker on the other sideline. That was impressive.
Somehow the Colts are leading the AFC South. All without Anthony Richardson. I have no idea how they ended up winning that game. A Ravens fan might say, "well you won because of the worst missed pass interference call of all-time. A pass interference call that gave the ball back to the Colts at midfield in overtime. A pass interference call on a play that would have almost certainly led to a Justin Tucker game winning field goal." But who's to say? I have the utmost respect for NFL referees. Keep in mind that they're trying their best, and they never play favorites.
Ok yeah never mind that was indeed one of the worst missed pass interference calls you'll ever see. Jim Irsay quite clearly presented the refs with several large sacks of cash before the game. Truly shocking to watch that play unfold and not see the yellow flag graphic pop up on the bottom of the screen. Thank you Jim. That's why you're the best owner in the game.
Realistically, the Colts had no business winning that game. There were at least 3 moments where I thought the Colts were certainly fucked. Most notably when Justin Tucker, who is actually the best kicker of all time missed a 61-yarder to give the Ravens the win. Normally when you get Justin Tucker anywhere inside 70 yards you can pack your bags and go home. But nope. Not today. He's no Matt Gay.
But even more so than Justin Tucker missing a field goal. When your team's quarterback self-safeties himself, you're just not going to win that football game. I don't have the stats in front of me, but I'm assuming no quarterback who's committed a self-safety has ever gone on to lose a game by less than 3 touchdown. Let alone win.
Colts Nation appreciates you Minshew. We love your long hair and mustache and you're general cool guy vibe. We also love the fact that you've won 2 games for us. But we're really going to need Anthony Richardson back in there next week. That wasn't the necessarily the most confidence inspiring performance (reminder about the self-safety). And now that the Colts are leading the AFC South, and it seems as if the rest of the division might be dog shit yet again, I would very much like the watch Anthony Richardson make a run at the playoffs.
That's likely putting the cart before of the horse a bit, but the Colts are scrappy. Before the season I convinced myself that the Colts might be best off tanking the season. But not anymore. Now I've fully convinced myself that the Colts can make a playoff run. As long as Anthony Richardson can start averaging less than 1 concussion per game. And as long as Michael Pittman keep making insane catches he has no business making in huge moments
Also, shoutout Zack Moss rushing for 122 yards on 30 carries, getting injured after every run and making big time touchdown catch. Who needs Jonathan Taylor.