The Indianapolis Colts had one job on Sunday. Beat the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars and officially clinch a berth in the NFL playoffs. Considering the Jags came into the game at 2-14 and their fans were literally dressing up as clowns in protest of the franchise, this should have been a cakewalk.
Instead, the Jaguars dominated the Colts en route to a shocking 26-11 victory. The Colts now have to wait and see how things play out between the Ravens and Steelers as well as the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Chargers and Raiders which features a fascinating scheduling quirk to consider.
I-N-T-E-R-C-E-P-T-I-O-N
Do you know what that mean?#INDvsJAX | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/PUu5qteigA
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 9, 2022
A large part of the reason the Colts fell on their faces Sunday was quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz went 17 of 29 for 185 yards, one touchdown, and an interception on the day, though much of that came on a fourth-quarter drive that was too little, too late. The 29-year-old signal-caller who almost missed last week’s game after testing positive for COVID while unvaccinated hasn’t looked sharp in either week and the offense seemed to follow his decline.
For a lot of NFL fans, Wentz’s meltdown when it mattered most reminded them of his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he never actually played in the playoffs during his five seasons there, which include a Super Bowl run. And everyone was happy to pile on given the way the Colts tried to rub it in Philly’s face afterward when he became their quarterback. It appears that Philly got the last laugh, however, as a clause in that trade based on Wentz’s playing time means they get a first-round pick from the Colts in the same season they’ll be headed to the playoffs.
The Colts didn’t just lose, they got annihilated… by a team that lost 50-10 last week. And now they have to give their first rounder to the Eagles! I’m officially declaring this THE WENTZ GAME.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 9, 2022
Carson Wentz took an 11-5 #Colts team & led them to 9-7.
Jalen Hurts took a 4-11-1 #Eagles team & led them to 9-7.
There’s levels.
— James Nagle (@NagleNFL) January 4, 2022
Carson Wentz stayed healthy enough to earn the Eagles that 1st rounder, and is now playing bad so the Colts might miss the playoffs, making that first rounder higher. You can't say he doesn't love Philly
— Dave Rappoccio (@DrawPlayDave) January 9, 2022
This was me 2 years ago, I understand Stephen. It gets better when you embrace that he's doodie https://t.co/PybGNJ79YR
— Treb (@treblaw) January 9, 2022
I feel like we're being robbed of a Carson Wentz playoff collapse by a regular season Carson Wentz collapse
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) January 9, 2022
Carson Wentz is Baker Mayfield without commercials
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 9, 2022
I think rooting for a franchise that starts Carson Wentz would significantly degrade my ability to have fun watching football
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 9, 2022
Carson Wentz seems pretty hellbent on not going to the playoffs
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 9, 2022
Wentz’s reputation for falling apart when the season is on the line was strengthened pretty hard on Sunday. We’ll see if he gets a chance at redemption next week or if this will follow him and the franchise into next season.
