The Indianapolis Colts are almost certainly going to get one of the top spots in the 2023 NFL Draft. At 4-11-1, they won’t be able to land the No. 1 pick, but something pretty close is in reach, especially if they lose on Sunday to the Houston Texans. One play in particular during the game had a lot of NFL viewers wondering if they weren’t witnessing the moribund NFL franchise tank their way to “victory.”
The Colts have been accused of tanking ever since they hired Jeff Saturday as their head coach. And despite an initial victory over the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, that theory has been helped out by Saturday’s ineptitude and the team’s near-constant losing.
What is really going to drive that theory home is a moment on Sunday when Colts linebacker Cameron McGrone appeared to purposefully jar the ball loose from cornerback Dallis Flowers during a kick return.
Colts give up TD on opening drive. Then Dallis Flowers has own teammate punch the ball out on ensuing KO. Texans back in business at 18
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 8, 2023
The play came just after the Texans scored a touchdown and the turnover gave Houston a chance to extend its lead.
“Now THIS team understands how to tank,” said FB Outsiders’ Rivers McCown.
Now THIS team understands how to tank. pic.twitter.com/RkqiPRYPNh
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) January 8, 2023
Whether he actually meant to do it or not, the play certainly sums up Indianapolis’ season to a lot of NFL fans.
“Lol the Colts are a performance art,” said SB Nation’s JP Acosta.
Lol the Colts are a performance art https://t.co/rJENPRGzkH
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) January 8, 2023
His own teammate with the Peanut Punch,” said WBBM’s Dave Kerner.
His own teammate with the Peanut Punch..😆 https://t.co/pOIeybG99P
— Dave Kerner (@DaveKerner) January 8, 2023
“Textbook strip tackle,” added The Dan Le Batard Show.
Textbook strip tackle 😤 pic.twitter.com/LD2D7A8YD5
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) January 8, 2023
We’re excited to see which quarterback the Colts select with their very-high draft pick this time.