Footage shows Colts head coach blaming Gardner Minshew for season-ending play
New television footage has shed fresh light on the dramatic conclusion to Indianapolis' season-ending defeat to Houston.
The Colts' hopes of making the NFL playoffs season were extinguished in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday evening.
The regular-season finale served as a de facto playoff game with the winning team advancing to the postseason and the losing team heading home to try again next year.
Despite a valiant effort, the Colts lost 23-19 Week 18 matchup with the Texans, botching a last-minute opportunity to win the game and punch their ticket to the playoffs.
Trailing by six points late in the fourth quarter, Indy drove all the way to the Texans' 15-yard line to set up a pivotal fourth-and-1 to tie the game and keep their season alive.
Unfortunately Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew was unable to complete his pass to backup running back Tyler Goodson and it led to a turnover on downs.
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Television cameras panned to Colts coach Shane Steichen for his reaction to the play.
Footage appeared to capture Steichen telling Minshew: "That's on you, we had it."
Steichen was more diplomatic after the game when questioned on the play call by reporters.
He said: "The play we had up, we had the look for it, we had man to man coverage but it didn't work out.
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"We saw the front they were in and we liked the look for that play in that situation."
First-choice RB Jonathan Taylor had run nine times for 23 yards on the final play but Steichen opted to call Goodson's number for the crucial fourth-down conversion.
"[We] felt good about Goodson in that situation - he's the best catcher for us out of the backfield," said Steichen.
"Obviously if it doesn't work, you're gonna second guess it. I understand that and it's part of the business."
Minshew assumed the QB starting role in Week 5 after promising rookie QB Anthony Richardson sustained a season-ending shoulder injury.
“I couldn’t be just more grateful for the opportunity,†Minshew said of leading the Colts. “You know, first, with Shane, the faith to bring me here and to give me a chance, and the team kind of rallying around me."