2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South

The 2024 NFL season marked a year of mixed results for the Indianapolis Colts, as the team closed out the campaign with an 8-9 record, finishing third in the AFC South—just one win shy of .500 and two games behind the division-winning Jacksonville Jaguars. 2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South encapsulates a season defined by flashes of promise, frustrating inconsistencies, and lessons that will shape the franchise’s future. After entering the year with high hopes of building on a 10-7 playoff appearance in 2023, the Colts struggled to find consistent momentum, alternating winning and losing streaks throughout the season. Key injuries, offensive lulls, and defensive lapses in critical moments prevented the team from living up to expectations, yet there were still bright spots—including standout performances from young stars and strategic adjustments that hinted at future potential. For Colts fans and the front office, this season served as both a reality check and a roadmap, highlighting areas that need improvement while reinforcing the team’s core strengths.

2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South begins with an analysis of the team’s offensive performance, which showed promise but lacked the consistency needed to carry the franchise to more wins. Led by second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Colts’ offense ranked 14th in the NFL in total yards per game (342.6) and 16th in points per game (22.1)—modest improvements from 2023 but not enough to compete with the AFC’s top offenses. Richardson, who showed growth in his decision-making and pocket presence, finished the season with 3,642 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while also contributing 489 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. His chemistry with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. remained a highlight: Pittman led the team with 89 receptions for 1,015 yards and 7 touchdowns, becoming the first Colts receiver to top 1,000 yards since 2021. However, the offense struggled with red-zone efficiency (ranking 21st in the league with a 58% touchdown rate) and third-down conversion (22nd at 38.2%), often stalling in critical moments. Injuries to the offensive line—including a four-game absence for left tackle Bernhard Raimann—also hampered production, forcing Richardson to face more pressure than in his rookie season. These inconsistencies kept the offense from being a reliable engine for wins, especially in close games where the Colts went 3-6 in contests decided by one score.

On the defensive side of the ball, 2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South reveals a unit that showed flashes of dominance but was undermined by depth issues and late-game lapses. The Colts’ defense ranked 18th in total yards allowed per game (356.8) and 20th in points allowed per game (24.3), with particular struggles against the run (allowing 120.4 rushing yards per game, 23rd in the NFL). Defensive end Kwity Paye emerged as a standout, leading the team with 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, while defensive tackle DeForest Buckner continued to be a force in the interior with 7 sacks and 45 total tackles. The secondary, bolstered by free-agent signing Camryn Bynum, showed improvement in the second half of the season: Bynum finished with 98 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass deflections, while safety Julian Blackmon added 85 tackles and 3 interceptions. However, the defense struggled to close out games, allowing 78 points in the fourth quarter of one-score losses—including a devastating 14-point comeback by the Tennessee Titans in Week 12 that cost the Colts a critical divisional win. Depth issues at linebacker and cornerback also became apparent when key players missed time, forcing unproven rookies into significant roles that they were not yet ready to handle. These weaknesses prevented the defense from being the stabilizing force the Colts needed to turn close losses into wins.

2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South also highlights the impact of the team’s divisional matchups, which played a major role in their final record. The Indianapolis Colts went 2-4 against AFC South opponents, with wins over the Houston Texans (27-20 in Week 5) and the Titans (31-24 in Week 8) offset by losses to the Jaguars (twice) and the Texans (34-17 in Week 16). The two losses to Jacksonville were particularly damaging: a 24-21 defeat in Week 3 saw the Colts blow a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, while a 30-20 loss in Week 14 eliminated any chance of winning the division. These divisional struggles underscored the Colts’ inability to perform against their closest rivals, a trend that has plagued the team in recent years. The Indianapolis Colts also struggled on the road, finishing with a 3-6 away record—compared to a 5-3 mark at Lucas Oil Stadium. Road losses to non-divisional opponents like the Cleveland Browns (28-25 in overtime) and the Las Vegas Raiders (22-19) were especially costly, as they came against teams with similar or worse records, preventing the Colts from building momentum in the playoff race. These results highlighted the need for the team to improve its consistency in high-pressure environments, both against divisional foes and on the road.

Another key storyline in 2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South is the team’s performance in the second half of the season, which showed both growth and missed opportunities. After a 4-5 start, the Colts won three of their next four games, including a dominant 38-14 victory over the Titans in Week 15 that reignited playoff hopes. During this stretch, the offense found its rhythm: Richardson threw 8 touchdowns and just 1 interception, while the defense recorded 10 sacks and 5 takeaways. However, the team stumbled down the stretch, losing their final two games—including a 27-24 loss to the Texans in Week 17 that officially eliminated them from playoff contention. The Indianapolis Colts’ late-season collapse was due in part to injuries (including a shoulder injury to Richardson that limited his mobility in Week 18) and a lack of execution in critical moments. For example, in the Week 17 loss to Houston, the Colts had a chance to tie the game with 30 seconds left but failed to convert a fourth-and-10 from the Texans’ 35-yard line. These late-season struggles were a microcosm of the entire season: moments of promise undermined by costly mistakes that prevented the team from reaching its goals.

Looking ahead, 2024 Review: Indianapolis Colts Finish 8-9 in AFC South provides a clear roadmap for the franchise’s offseason priorities. The Indianapolis Colts need to address several key areas to return to playoff contention, starting with offensive line depth—adding reliable backups to protect Richardson and open running lanes for Jonathan Taylor (who finished with 1,212 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns but was limited by a knee injury in the final month). The defense also needs upgrades at linebacker and cornerback to improve depth and consistency, especially against the run. Offseason moves like re-signing pending free agents (such as Bynum and defensive end Tyquan Lewis) and targeting impact players in the draft will be critical. Additionally, the Colts need to focus on mental toughness and late-game execution, as their 3-6 record in one-score games suggests a need for better preparation and decision-making in high-pressure situations. For head coach Shane Steichen, the 2024 season was a learning experience, and he will need to adjust his game plans and in-game management to help the team close out wins. While an 8-9 record is disappointing, the Colts have a strong core in Richardson, Taylor, and Pittman, and with the right offseason moves, they have the potential to bounce back in 2025. 2024 may not have been the season Colts fans hoped for, but it provided valuable lessons that can help the franchise build toward long-term success.