Washington has been owned by the Colts, losing four straight

Can you guess who the last Washington head coach was to beat the Indianapolis Colts?

Hey Washington fans, I have a question for you.

Who was the last Washington head coach to get a victory over the Colts?

We know it is not Ron Rivera, as this is the first time Coach Ron has faced the Colts. “Jay Gruden,” you guess? Nope, Jay did lose to the Colts. In fact, Coach Jay lost to the horseshoe twice.

“Then it has to be Mike Shanahan,” you confidently assert. Wrong again. Shanahan lost in his only game against the Colts as Washington’s head coach.

“No way! Was it really Jim Zorn?” Nope, you are going to have to go back further because Washington did not play the Colts in Zorn’s two seasons (2008-09).

“Why of course, why didn’t I think of this earlier? It’s our beloved Joe Gibbs!” The buzzer sounds loudly. Wrong again, my friend. Coach Joe Jackson Gibbs 2.0 came up short in his only trip to Indianapolis coaching the Burgundy and Gold in his second tenure (2004-2008).

Indeed, Washington has lost its last four games to the Indianapolis Colts.

Would you believe the last Washington coach to defeat the Indianapolis Colts was “The ‘Ole Ball Coach” himself Steve Spurrier? No, I’m not pulling your leg. Spurrier’s team defeated the Colts led by Hall of Famer QB Peyton Manning way back in 2002 in Landover.

Sunday at 4:25 p.m the Commanders will again face the Colts in Indianapolis. Frankly, the Colts have owned Washington, winning the last four games played. It’s time Washington breaks their four-game losing streak to the Colts.

It looks as if Cole Holcomb is out for Sunday, meaning David Mayo and Jon Bostic will be playing instead. Also, it looks like Trai Turner might be playing instead of Saahdiq Charles at right guard.

Both of these possibilities have me shaking my head, wondering, “Can Washington band together despite glaring needs at linebacker and guard?

The starters are now going to be Taylor Heinicke and Sam Ehlinger. Heinicke started his first regular season game just last season. Ehlinger was a rookie last season, and makes his first NFL start Sunday against the Commanders.

So it could be a low-scoring contest Sunday.

I’m hoping Heinicke can make enough plays to get the win and break this losing streak to the Colts.

*Hey, you will want to watch all of the highlights for the 2002 game, including the halftime show honoring the 70 Greatest Redskins.”

 

09/16/2018  Indianapolis 21 @ Washington 9          Game Highlights

11/30/2014  Washington 27 @ Indianapolis 49        Game Highlights

10/17/2010  Indianapolis 27 @ Washington 24        Game Highlights

10/22/2006  Washington 22 @ Indianapolis 36        Game Highlights

10/27/2002  Indianapolis 21 @ Washington 26        Game Highlights

 

When they last met: Indianapolis and Washington

The Colts and Washington last met in 2018 when it was Andrew Luck vs. Alex Smith.

“When They Last Met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Indianapolis 21, Washington 09 – Week 02, September 16, 2018

Washington fans were excited and encouraged, after Washington had gone out to Arizona and really looked good, easily defeating the Cardinals 24-6. While the Colts had lost their opener at home 34-23 to the Bengals.

The DMV was a buzz with excitement, as Washington had traded in the off season to replace free agent departure Kirk Cousins with Kansas City’s Alex Smith.

Week 2 brought a sudden jolt of reality to Washington fans, as the hometown team was outplayed from start to finish by the Colts. The Colts had led 14-3, and Washington had two opportunities to follow but could manage only Dustin Hopkins’ field goals, falling 21-9 at FedEx Field in Landover.

Even with a D.J. Swearinger second-quarter interception halting a Colt drive in Washington territory, the Colts still manufactured two 75-yard drives resulting in an Andrew Luck 7-yard TD pass to Eric Ebron and a Nyheim 8-yard TD run for an 11-point halftime lead.

Ironically, the Colts generated and delivered on another 75-yard drive in the final quarter, culminating in Luck’s 3-yard pass to T.Y. Hilton for the final score of the day.

The Washington run offense, effective in week one against the Cardinals, was shut down by the Colts. Adrian Peterson had a long run of 14 yards, yet managed a mere 20 total rushing yards in his 11 carries.

Alex Smith completed 33 of 46 for 292 yards and no interceptions. However, Smith was sacked ending one fourth-quarter drive, resulting in another Hopkins field goal from 49 yards.

The next Washington possession moved the ball down to the 20-yard line; however, Jordan Reed fumbled, ending that scoring threat as well.

Chris Thompson led Washington with 13 receptions for 92 yards, while Reed recorded 6 receptions for 55 yards.

Swearinger intercepted his second pass of Luck in the third quarter for Washington.