Tag: Jim Irsay

Twitter reacts to Commanders 17-16 win over the Colts

Some of the top reactions from Washington’s Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Washington Commanders defeated the Indianapolis Colts 17-16 on Sunday to improve to 4-4.

It was another wild game for the Commanders. After a promising touchdown drive in the second quarter, Washington’s offense went silent for the remainder of the first half and all of the third quarter.

When the Colts intercepted Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke early in the fourth quarter, it felt like the Commanders’ winning streak would end at two games.

However, Heinicke and wide receiver Terry McLaurin brought Washington all the way back, scoring the game-winning touchdown with 22 seconds remaining in the game.

As always, Twitter was wild during and after Sunday’s Washington game. We’ve compiled some of the best reactions from Sunday’s win.

Report: Jim Irsay ‘giving no thought’ to firing Frank Reich, Chris Ballard

Colts’ Jim Irsay reportedly ‘giving no thought’ to firing HC Frank Reich or GM Chris Ballard.

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The Indianapolis Colts haven’t played to expectation this season and with a quarterback change starting in Week 8, many assume there will be changes coming at head coach and/or general manager this offseason.

However, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday morning that Irsay is “giving no thought” to firing Frank Reich as head coach or Chris Ballard as general manager.

It remains to be seen if this sentiment will still be here after the season. The switch to Sam Ehlinger at quarterback could go one of two ways. Either the Colts find a diamond in the rough with their 2021 sixth-round pick, or he leads the Colts closer to the top of the draft order in 2023.

If it’s the latter, which is the most likely outcome, Irsay may not feel the same way during the upcoming offseason. They all seem excited about this quarterback change because of what Ehlinger could be, but that sentiment may not be around if the Colts fail to make the playoffs again.

Part of the issue with Ballard and Reich has been the stubbornness and lack of self scouting when it comes to changing philosophy. The Colts will continue to spin their tires in the mud if they continue to build the roster through invaluable positions while taking on retread quarterbacks every offseason.

Either Ballard and Reich have to convince Irsay they will go after a young quarterback in the 2023 draft or Irsay may have to part ways with a duo he’s very fond of.

Right now, Irsay is giving his support to Reich and Ballard. But by the end of the season, this perceived support may look more like a kiss of death if things don’t improve.

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Report: Jim Irsay empowered Frank Reich to make QB change

Jim Irsay reportedly ’empowered’ Frank Reich to make the QB change.

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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been more involved in the quarterback position over the last year, and he reportedly empowered head coach Frank Reich to make Sam Ehlinger the starter over Matt Ryan.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Irsay was in “lockstep” with Reich and general manager Chris Ballard about making the switch to Ehlinger going into Week 8.

Mortensen also reported that the change going to Ehlinger started to heat up in Week 5 when the Colts beat the Denver Broncos on the road in prime time. However, they felt the optics of demoting a quarterback after a win wouldn’t have gone over well.

 

Though Ryan suffered a shoulder injury in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, he would have been demoted anyway. The Colts seemingly have been wanting to make the change for some time, and the loss against the Titans was the final straw.

This is a bit significant because, on the surface, benching Ryan would look like the Colts are conceding the season. But having the owner support this kind of move could make the transition a bit easier.

At 3-3-1, the Colts are still technically in the playoff race, but it will incredibly difficult to do so as a wild-card team considering their division record is 1-3-1 and they lost both games to the Titans.

But the Colts are excited to see what Ehlinger can do even if the likely outcome means they miss the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.

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NFL Week 8 picks: Who the experts are taking in Commanders vs. Colts

The experts are going with the Commanders this week.

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Jim Irsay or Daniel Snyder? Sam Ehlinger or Taylor Heinicke? Who wins in Week 8?

In an important game for both teams, Irsay’s Colts host Snyder’s Commanders from Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Irsay’s comments regarding Snyder’s ownership and the matchup between backup quarterbacks are the top storylines surrounding this game.

The Colts enter this game as the slight favorites, but these are evenly matched teams. Indianapolis was likely initially listed as the favorite due to being the home team.

Surprisingly, this week, the experts are taking the Commanders. The expert picks have been overwhelmingly against Washington throughout the season. This time, 59% of the expert picks are going with the Commanders, according to NFL Pickwatch.

Washington’s offense operates better with Heinicke under center. While Heinicke doesn’t possess a high ceiling, he’s efficient and moves the chains. That’s much more than the Commanders were getting recently from Carson Wentz.

It seems the experts believe in Heinicke just a bit more than Ehlinger this week.

Predictions for Commanders vs. Colts, Week 8

We make our picks for Washington’s Week 8 game at Indianapolis.

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A lot is riding on Washington’s [3-4] Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts [3-3-1].

Not only are the Commanders trying to win their third consecutive game and get back to .500, but the “rivalry” has also heated up recently due to Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay’s repeated comments surrounding Commanders owner Daniel Snyder.

Irsay became the first owner to speak openly about potentially removing Snyder as an NFL owner. Snyder’s camp responded with a statement of their own. Irsay has since stood by and added to his comments — multiple times.

But there will be a game played on Sunday. It should be an exciting game as the Commanders and Colts are two similar teams with two similar quarterbacks in Taylor Heinicke and Sam Ehlinger.

Here are our picks for Week 8.

Bryan Manning

This is going to be a close game. These two teams are similar, from how their defenses are built to their respective quarterback situations. Both teams want to lean on the running game, and the Colts have one of the better running backs in the NFL in Jonathan Taylor. The Commanders have a talented trio of backs in Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr. and J.D. McKissic.

How will this game be decided? By whichever quarterback makes the least mistakes. That’s often a common answer, but extremely fitting for this game. If the Commanders establish the run early, Heinicke is much more dangerous when he’s not forced to carry the offense. Ehlinger will have a good performance, but Heinicke is just a bit better on Sunday, leading the Commanders to a close win.

Commanders 20, Colts 17

Ivan Lambert

Last week on Sunday morning, Sam Ehlinger was the Colts’ number 3 quarterback. Because Matt Ryan became a turnover machine, Irsay, GM Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich turned to the more mobile option in Ehlinger.

You know, like Washington coach Ron Rivera, GM Martin Mayhew and top personnel executive Marty Hurney now have Taylor Heinicke?

Washington should win this game. There are two major concerns, however. The Commanders will be without linebacker Cole Holcomb. How have you felt when seeing David Mayo or Jon Bostic in pass coverage?

Secondly, Trai Turner may start at right guard. Would he be playing if the coach were not Ron Rivera?

This could cost the game.

Commanders 17, Indianapolis 16 

How to watch Commanders vs. Colts: Time, TV and streaming options for Week 8

Here is everything you need to watch, listen to, or stream Washington’s Week 8 game at Indianapolis.

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The Washington Commanders [3-4] face the Indianapolis Colts [3-3-1] on Sunday in Week 8 action from Lucas Oil Stadium.

When this game was announced in May, many circled their calendars to see Washington quarterback Carson Wentz face his old team [of one season]. However, Wentz is injured, leading Taylor Heinicke to move back into the lineup.

The Colts will also feature their second quarterback of the season. Indianapolis benched veteran Matt Ryan last week, and Sam Ehlinger will make his first career start against the Commanders.

There are plenty of other storylines for this game. Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin returns home to play in his hometown for the first time as an NFL player.

There are also the owners. In case you haven’t heard, Colts owner Jim Irsay has been outspoken about Commanders owner Daniel Snyder. And he isn’t backing down.

Here is everything you need to know to watch, listen to, or stream the Week 7 battle between the Commanders and Colts.

Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts — Oct. 30, 4:25 p.m. ET

TV channel: FOX

Commentators: Brandon Gaudin [play-by-play, Robert Smith [analyst], & Jen Hale [sideline]

Streaming: FuboTV (try it free)

Radio: BIG 100 (WBIG-FM); here is a list of affiliates. Sirius XM Radio.

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Weather: Dome

Referee: Craig Wrolstad, per Football Zebras

Odds: Colts -2.5, O/U 39.5

Injuries: Final injury report

 

ESPN reports there has been no recent contact between Jim Irsay and Daniel Snyder

Irsay speaks, and the Commanders respond.

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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay spoke about Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder again Friday.

This time, Irsay talked to The Washington Post.

“I’m not sure how that report’s going to come out,” Irsay said regarding Mary Jo White’s league investigation into allegations against Snyder. “But what already has come out is extremely disturbing, and I disagree with the process. And I most likely disagree that we haven’t discussed something more severe such as him being removed as owner. As I said, it’s not something that I’m saying we should do. I’m saying it’s something that has to be given serious consideration.”

The Commanders quickly responded to Irsay’s latest comments, saying Irsay violated the “Constitution of the NFL.”

“It’s unfortunate that Mr. Irsay continues to behave in a way that clearly is in violation of the Constitution of the NFL,” the statement read. “We look forward to playing his team on Sunday.”

Now, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, there has been no recent contact between Irsay and Snyder after Irsay’s initial comments concerning the Washington owner.

Per John Keim of ESPN, Snyder will be at Sunday’s game between his team and Irsay’s Colts, sitting in the visitor’s box courtesy of Irsay.

This one should be fun. And the game should be good, too.

Jim Irsay speaks out again vs. Commanders owner Snyder

Jim Irsay speaks again ahead of his Colts hosting Daniel Snyder and the Commanders.

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It’s the eve of Daniel Snyder’s Washington Commanders coming to Lucas Oil Stadium to play the Indianapolis Colts owned by Jim Irsay.

Irsay, two weeks ago, became the first NFL owner to speak out in favor of the NFL owners using their voting authority to reach a consensus vote for the purpose of potentially removing Snyder from the exclusive 32-member club.

Now, we learn that Friday night, Irsay kept the burner on, wanting the issue to be at the forefront of Sunday’s game. This time, Irsay spoke of the NFL owners needing to step up and make sure they are the ones running the league.

There is no question Snyder has not managed the football operations well. In his very first season, before the first game was played, general manager Charley Casserly learned what kind of owner Snyder was going to be. Casserly was suddenly gone.

Literally, it’s been all downhill since as he intervenes where he should not such as the NFL draft, and burns bridges with employees on the business side as well as the football side. The Beth Wilkinson investigation uncovered nothing short of a toxic workplace all under Snyder’s watch, yet, could he not muster the courage to accept responsibility?

Irsay hasn’t exactly been the Art Rooney of the NFL either. His father, Robert, was the Colts owner when Jim graduated from SMU in 1982. By 1984, was it wise that Jim was made vice president and general manager?

When Robert died, Jim became the NFL’s youngest owner at age 37. There have been questions, serious questions, about Irsay as well. He had a mistress who then died of a drug overdose. He himself was arrested for DUI, had a drug problem, was suspended by the NFL for six games and fined $500,000.

Irsay contends that when the NFL fined Washington $10M and Snyder voluntarily stepped aside that he was not involved in the process and was “not consulted one time,” though he owns one of the 32 NFL franchises.

Irsay insists he strongly supports Roger Goodell as commissioner and has nothing personal against Daniel Snyder.

Snyder wants this to all go away. Might Irsay be enjoying this too much?

Behind Enemy Lines with Colts Wire to preview Week 8

We speak with Colts Wire managing editor Kevin Hickey to preview the Colts ahead of their Week 8 game against the Commanders.

The Washington Commanders enter Sunday’s Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts on a two-game winning streak. To add to that winning streak, Washington’s defense faces the relatively unknown Sam Ehlinger at quarterback.

Ehlinger replaced veteran Matt Ryan this week, and Colts head coach Frank Reich believes he can help the Colts win now. One reason for the optimism around Ehlinger is his mobility.

In preparation for Sunday’s game against the Colts, we spoke with Colts Wire managing editor Kevin Hickey to catch us up to speed on Indianapolis. Kevin gives us a scouting report on Ehlinger and talks Jim Irsay, Carson Wentz and more.

 

5 matchups to watch for Commanders vs. Colts in Week 8

We’ve identified four key matchups plus a bonus one for Sunday’s game between the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts.

The Washington Commanders [3-4] look to get back to .500 on Sunday with a trip to Indianapolis to face the Colts [3-3-1]. When the schedule was released in the spring, many had this game circled on the calendar because of Washington quarterback Carson Wentz’s return to Indianapolis, where he spent the 2021 season.

However, Wentz will not play Sunday. Neither will his replacement in Indianapolis, as Matt Ryan was benched earlier this week. Now, we have a matchup between Taylor Heinicke and Sam Ehlinger, who will bring a similar style of play into this game.

Both teams play good defense and will look to rely on the running game to come away with the victory. We’ve identified four matchups to watch in Sunday’s game between the Commanders and the Colts.