EXCLUSIVE: Former NFL HC Mike Smith left aghast by how Colts blew 33-point lead in loss to Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings dominated headlines this past week after pulling off the biggest comeback in NFL history, beating the Indianapolis Colts 39-36. The AFC South franchise roared to a 33-0 lead at halftime but crumbled when it mattered most as Kirk Cousins orchestrated the Vikings' fairytale comeback.
Fans and analysts have since been left wondering just how the Colts could've avoided this embarrassing turnaround. While talking to Reggie Roberts on Sportskeeda's BallFather podcast, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith dissected the Colts' loss in thorough detail:
"It was heartbreaking if you were an Indianapolis fan there in the second half, Reg. I mean, they blew the biggest lead in the history of the NFL. You know, looking in the rearview mirror, they could have lined up with a 33-point lead, ran the clock down to two seconds on every snap in the second half, and they probably would have won that football game. It was crazy."
Smith even referred to what his Falcons side would do back in the day whenever they had a sizeable lead:
"We tried to take the air out of the game if we went up by like 17 points. It was like, 'Okay, stay in the huddle.' You know, we're going to make sure that we run out the clock as much as we possibly can."
The Colts' collapse, though, can't be pinned on the defense alone. After halftime, their offense managed a woeful three points. This obviously brought quarterback Matt Ryan under the scanner, and critics didn't hold back.
Colts set to start Nick Foles for remainder of 2022 NFL season
With this season being a lost cause, the Colts have decided to experiment. As per reports, former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is now set to take over from Matt Ryan as the side's QB1 for the remainder of the 2022 NFL season.
And now HC Jeff Saturday has made the announcement official: QB Nick Foles will start Monday night vs. the Chargers. https://t.co/CCo5uRFg0C
Foles will have to bring his A-game to the table, as his first game back will be against the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert's team is currently on a two-match winning streak and will look to capitalize against Jeff Saturday's team, who, on the contrary, have lost four in a row.
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Indianapolis will require nothing short of a miracle to pull off a win against the LA-based franchise. But if there's one player who knows a thing or two about pulling off miracles, it's the man who bested Tom Brady on the grandest stage of them all.
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