Colts coach Shane Steichen's repeated aggressive calls backfire in 39-38 loss vs. Browns

INDIANAPOLIS — A Colts team that spent the week bracing for a low-scoring battle against a vaunted Cleveland defense suddenly found itself in a shootout at the beginning of the second quarter.

Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen responded by making a handful of aggressive calls.

A couple of those calls ended up biting the Colts, largely because of the otherworldly talents of Browns superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett, who took over the end of the second quarter and tipped the scales in Cleveland’s favor in a game the Browns ended up winning 39-38.

Colts score: Mistakes, late penalties cost Colts in 39-38 loss to Browns

“There’s certain times, obviously, calling the game with in there … certain things, you’ve got to be smart with,” Steichen said. “Obviously, the backed-up call, I tried to get aggressive there, they got seven points off that. Again, that’s on me.”

The backed-up call Steichen mentioned hurt the worst.

Indianapolis had built a 21-17 lead when the Browns punted a ball to the Indianapolis 11-yard line with 1:54 left in the half.

The Colts could have played it safe in the shadow of its own end zone, handing off a couple of times to see if they could buy some room before opening up a two-minute drill.

Steichen went for the kill, opening the drive by calling pass plays, intent on piling up more points before the half.

Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott sacked Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew for a loss of five on first down, backing up Indianapolis to its end zone, a spot that has been a problem for Minshew this season; he stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety in the same situation against Baltimore.

But Steichen elected to call another pass, and knowing that Garrett was lined up against right tackle Blake Freeland, Indianapolis tried to give the rookie help by putting tight end Drew Ogletree over there.

“Backed up, that’s on me,” Steichen said. “Tried to help, but (Garrett) broke a double team and made a play. I’ve got to be better in both situations.” 

Garrett shed Ogletree, blew past Freeland and ran down Minshew, forcing a fumble that Browns linebacker Tony Fields recovered for a touchdown, instantly giving Cleveland a 24-21 lead.

“A guy like that, a couple plays can really change it, and that’s where I’ve got to do a better job just taking care of the ball,” Minshew said.

Indianapolis tried to run a little clock on the ensuing series by calling runs on the first two plays, but Steichen dialed up a screen on third-and-13, and Minshew threw incomplete when it looked like the Browns had the play covered, stopping the clock and leading to a 54-yard field goal for Dustin Hopkins that gave Cleveland a 27-21 halftime lead.

Another call Steichen made early in the quarter gave the Browns a chance to stay within striking distance, setting up the calamity at the end of the first half.

Tied at 14-14, the Colts tried a third-down screen to tight end Mo Alie-Cox that Cleveland safety Grant Delpit read perfectly and stopped for a 6-yard loss, pushing Indianapolis kicker Matt Gay back from a 54-yard attempt to a 60-yard shot.

Gay’s career long is 58 yards.

But he has been excellent for Indianapolis so far this season, hitting five field goals of 50-plus yards in the first five games, and Steichen elected to send out the veteran kicker again.

“Right there, had faith in Matt to kick that long field goal there,” Steichen said. “Obviously, Myles Garrett jumped over, made a hell of a play.”

Garrett leaped over the Indianapolis offensive line, hopped and took the ball out of the air a split-second after Gay kicked it, sending the ball bounding back into the arms of Denzel Ward, who returned it 19 yards and set up a 44-yard field goal for Hopkins that gave the Browns a 17-14 lead.

In a game where both teams kept making big plays, Steichen was aggressive about chasing points.

Ultimately, those decisions ended up backfiring at the end of the first half.