The Indianapolis Colts are sticking with Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback, even after their latest turnover-filled 26-20 loss to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Jones will stay under center despite the struggles so far this season, flat out saying, “I think he knows he’s got to play better.”
Another Turnover-Filled Sunday
Sunday’s game against the Titans was just another frustrating chapter in what’s been a rough season for Jones. He went 22-of-42 for 269 yards with just a single touchdown, but the real kicker? He threw two interceptions. That first pick came deep inside the red zone during the first quarter when he tried to force a pass to Josh Downs. Yeah, Amani Hooker made a crazy grab, but it still cost them. Then, after another productive drive, the second pick popped up and led to a Titans field goal in the third quarter. It’s brutal when you’re driving, you’re in position, and you just give the ball away.
The Colts actually dominated the first half offensively, racking up 232 yards while holding the Titans to a measly 64. But guess what? They settled for field goals twice when they absolutely should have found the end zone. The Titans tied it up on an 8-yard pass in the fourth, then kicked two field goals down the stretch to seal their six-point win. What really stings is Jones and the Colts went for it on fourth down on both drives between those Titans field goals and failed to convert both times. Talk about leaving points on the field.
The Season So Far and What’s Next
This latest loss, their second straight, drops Indianapolis to a grim 2-4 on the year. Jones’ season stats are sitting at five interceptions to just three touchdowns. That’s not gonna cut it, folks. It also snapped a six-game win streak the Colts had over the Titans and gave Tennessee head coach Robert Slaeh his very first win running that organization.
Despite the rough start and the clear issues, Steichen isn’t ready to pull the plug on Jones just yet. He told The Athletic’s James Boyd, “I’m extremely disappointed. We’ve got a lot to fix, and we’ve gotta fix it in a hurry. Turnovers continue to be an issue, and we’ve got to handle that better … We’ve got a lot to clean up and we’ve got to fix it in a hurry.” It’s a dire message, and it’s clear the team is feeling the heat. Jones, who came back this fall after an Achilles injury last season, actually led the Colts to an 8-2 start last year and had them in a great playoff spot before getting hurt. He even won the starting job over Anthony Richardson in training camp last year, with many thinking Richardson might even be traded after Jones signed a two-year deal. Richardson, the No. 4 pick in 2023, has only made 15 starts in his first two seasons due to various injuries.
Jones has shown he can be a capable starter, but right now, things are not going well in Indy. The pressure is on Jones to turn things around, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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