Jeff Saturday Leaves Colts in Limbo With QB Answers

Jeff Saturday

Getty Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday denied answering a question about the team's quarterback situation after the loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Things turned from bad to worse to downright embarrassing for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.

What was a 2-point affair against the Dallas Cowboys turned into a five-touchdown difference because of a 33-0 avalanche from the home team in the fourth quarter. Major mistakes from the offense was the leading reason for the onslaught.

The Colts committed 4 turnovers in the final quarter alone, all of which led to Dallas touchdowns. The only possession Indianapolis had in the fourth that didn’t end in a giveaway was the kneel down at the end of the game.

Quarterback Matt Ryan had 3 of the 4 turnovers — 2 interceptions and a fumble. He also had an interception just before halftime.

With the abysmal performance, Ryan now leads the NFL with 18 giveaways this season. That’s 3 more than any other quarterback, and Ryan missed two games because of injury.

In light of the epically bad night during a very disappointing season, interim head coach Jeff Saturday received multiple questions about the team’s quarterback situation going forward during his postgame press conference on December 4.

At first, Saturday dodged a question about whether Ryan would remain the team’s starter. But then when pressed on the subject, Saturday provided a mixed response.

On the first followup question on the quarterbacks, Saturday told the media, “at this point, we’re riding with what we got.”

But his next response appeared to leave the door open for a change behind center.

“It’s five minutes after a beating,” Saturday said. “I’m disappointed. They’re [the players] are disappointed. No decision I make now is gonna be a good decision.”


Offense Reaches New Lows in Week 13

In many ways, turnovers have been the story of the 2022 Colts. Indianapolis has committed 26 giveaways in just 13 games. While only a handful of teams haven’t had their bye yet like the Colts and have played 13 contests, the Colts would still be leading the NFL in turnovers with more games played because they are averaging 2.0 giveaways per contest.

The New Orleans Saints are the only other team with more than 20 giveaways. Because of all those giveaways, the Colts are tied for last in the NFL with a minus-14 turnover differential.

Indianapolis was minus-4 in the fourth quarter alone against Dallas. It was so bad, the Colts took a knee on the final drive to just end the game.

Ryan leads the NFL with 13 interceptions and 14 fumbles. His 14 fumbles, which are a career high, are a major reason why the Colts have committed an incredible 30 fumbles as a team in just 13 weeks.


Who Potentially Replaces Ryan Remains Unclear

While it’s possible the Colts will have a new starter behind center following the bye, it’s not clear who that may be.

Before Week 13, it likely would have been Sam Ehlinger. Of the two backup quarterbacks the Colts possess, Ehlinger is the younger option with more upside. With the season lost, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to see what Ehlinger can do before potentially investing a high draft pick at quarterback in the spring.

But Ehlinger didn’t serve as Ryan’s backup against the Cowboys. Ehlinger was inactive as the team’s No. 3 option behind Nick Foles.

Foles began the season as Ryan’s backup but lost his job to Ehlinger in the middle of October. That opened the door for Ehlinger to become the starter when Ryan was benched after Week 7.

Starting Ehlinger over Foles makes more sense based on long-term goals for Indianapolis, but given that Saturday is coaching to fill out his resume, fans can’t rule out the possibility of Foles starting in Week 15.

Foles has yet to throw a pass this season. He appeared on the field for 2 snaps in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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