Colts Score Today: What Really Happened in the Recent Matchup

The Indianapolis Colts just wrapped up their most recent contest, and honestly, if you weren’t watching every snap, the final score doesn't even begin to tell the whole story. Fans are constantly refreshing their feeds asking what was the score in the colts game, but the numbers on the scoreboard are just the tip of the iceberg in what turned out to be a massive swing of momentum for Shane Steichen’s squad.

In their most recent outing, the Colts fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a final score of 37-34.

It was a shootout. Pure chaos. Anthony Richardson was sidelined with an oblique injury, leaving the veteran Joe Flacco to step into the pocket and try to orchestrate a comeback that almost—almost—defied the odds. If you're looking for the box score, that's the hard truth of it. But if you're looking for why the Colts are in the position they're in right now, you have to look at the defensive lapses and the explosive plays that defined those sixty minutes of football.

Breaking Down the Numbers: Why the Colts Score Today Matters

The 37-34 loss wasn't just another tick in the L column. It was a statistical anomaly in several ways. Joe Flacco threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns. You’d think that would be enough to secure a win against a divisional rival, right? Usually, yes. But the Colts' defense surrendered 497 total yards to the Jaguars.

That is the problem.

When people search for what was the score in the colts game, they are often trying to figure out if the team is actually a contender or just a high-variance group that can’t stop a nosebleed. Trevor Lawrence had his best game of the season, and Tank Bigsby tore through the secondary like it was made of paper. The final score reflects a team that has a high-octane offense capable of scoring 30+ points but a defensive unit that is currently ranked near the bottom of the league in yards allowed per game.

The Impact of Key Injuries on the Final Result

You can't talk about the score without talking about who wasn't on the field. Jonathan Taylor was out. High-ankle sprain. That changes everything about how Indy calls plays. Without Taylor, the burden fell entirely on the passing game. While Trey Sermon found the end zone, the lack of a consistent "ground and pound" threat meant the Jaguars didn't have to stack the box.

And then there’s the quarterback situation.

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• Anthony Richardson: The future of the franchise, but his health is a massive question mark.
• Joe Flacco: The steady hand who can put up numbers but doesn't have the mobility to escape a collapsing pocket.
• Michael Pittman Jr.: Playing through a back injury that many thought would land him on IR.

When these factors collide, the final score becomes a reflection of "what if." What if Taylor was healthy? What if the secondary hadn't blown that coverage in the fourth quarter?

Defensive Struggles and the 37-34 Reality

The score in the Colts game was largely dictated by the fourth quarter. It was 10-10 at halftime. A defensive struggle, surprisingly. Then the floodgates opened. The two teams combined for 51 points in the second half alone. That’s not football; that’s a track meet with pads on.

Indy's secondary has been the Achilles' heel all year. They are young. They are inexperienced. And against a veteran play-caller like Doug Pederson, those cracks turned into canyons. Brian Thomas Jr. had a 85-yard touchdown catch that essentially broke the game open. If you’re a Colts fan, that play is probably burned into your retinas.

Why Does the Score Keep Staying So High?

It’s about the philosophy. Steichen wants to play fast. They lead the league in "no-huddle" percentage during certain drives. This means more possessions for both teams. When you increase the number of possessions, you increase the final score. It’s basic math. But when your defense can't get off the field on third down, those extra possessions favor the opponent.

Currently, the Colts are allowing opponents to convert on third down at a rate that is frankly unsustainable for a playoff-caliber team. If you want to know what was the score in the colts game, you also need to know that they allowed Jacksonville to go 56% on third-down conversions. That’s how you lose a game where your quarterback throws for 350+ yards.

Historical Context: Are These Scores Typical for Indy?

If we look back at the 2024-2025 season and the early parts of 2026, the Colts have been involved in more "one-score games" than almost any other team in the NFL. They are the kings of the nail-biter.

1. Week 1: Loss to Houston (29-27)
2. Week 2: Loss to Green Bay (16-10)
3. Week 3: Win against Chicago (21-16)
4. Week 4: Win against Pittsburgh (27-24)

Notice a pattern? Every single game is decided by a touchdown or less. This means the Colts score is almost always a coin flip heading into the final two minutes. It makes for great television but terrible blood pressure for the fans in Lucas Oil Stadium.

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The Joe Flacco Factor

There’s an argument to be made that the score would have been lower—and perhaps the result different—with Richardson under center. Flacco is a gunslinger. He’s going to take shots. That leads to big plays and quick scores, which puts the defense back on the field faster. Richardson’s ability to run the ball keeps the clock moving and gives the defense time to breathe.

When you ask about the score, you’re really asking about the identity of the team. Right now, the identity is "explosive but vulnerable."

What Most People Get Wrong About the Colts Score

A lot of analysts look at a 37-34 score and blame the offense for not doing "one more thing." That’s nonsense. If your offense puts up 34 points, they’ve done their job. The fault lies with the pass rush—or lack thereof.

The Colts have invested heavily in the defensive line. Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner. These are big names. But in the recent Jaguars game, they struggled to get home. Lawrence was comfortable. A comfortable quarterback is a dangerous quarterback.

• Sacks: Only 1.0 in the last game.
• QB Hits: Only 3.0.
• Pressure Rate: Below 15%.

Those stats are the "why" behind the score. You cannot win in the modern NFL without making the quarterback sweat.

Looking Ahead: Predicting Future Colts Scores

Based on the current trajectory, expect the "over" to be a safe bet for Indy games. Until the secondary gets healthy—or gets more experience—teams are going to keep testing them deep.

The upcoming schedule features some high-powered offenses. If the Colts are going to turn these close losses into wins, the score needs to look more like 24-20 rather than 38-35. They need to find a way to dictate the tempo of the game rather than just reacting to it.

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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts

If you are tracking the Colts or looking to understand their performance better, keep an eye on these specific metrics rather than just the final number:

• Time of Possession: When the Colts win, they usually have the ball for at least 32 minutes. In the loss to Jacksonville, they were under 28.
• Red Zone Efficiency: Scoring 34 points is great, but settling for field goals in the first half is what let the Jaguars stay close.
• Turnover Margin: Flacco is prone to the occasional "old man" interception. If the Colts are -1 or worse in turnovers, they almost always lose.

The Reality of the AFC South Standings

The score of 37-34 pushed the Colts further down the AFC South ladder. In a division that is surprisingly competitive, every divisional loss feels like it counts for two. The Texans are running away with the lead, and the Jaguars' win over Indy kept their season on life support.

The Colts are currently in a "must-win" territory for their next three games if they want to sniff a Wild Card spot. They have the talent. They have the coaching. They just don't have the defensive consistency.

Final Thoughts on the Recent Performance

So, what was the score in the colts game? It was 37-34. A heartbreaking, thrilling, frustrating loss that highlighted every strength and every weakness this roster currently possesses. They can score with anyone. They can also be scored upon by anyone.

To improve, the focus has to shift from the scoreboard to the film room. Specifically, the defensive backfield needs to find a way to stop the bleeding on explosive plays. Until that happens, Indianapolis will continue to be the team that plays the most exciting—and most stressful—games in the league.

Next Steps for Following the Colts:

1. Monitor the Injury Report: Specifically watch the status of Anthony Richardson’s oblique and Jonathan Taylor’s ankle. Their presence changes the scoring ceiling and floor significantly.
2. Check the Betting Lines: Oddsmakers are currently setting Colts' "Over/Under" totals very high (usually 48.5 or higher). This tells you the experts expect high-scoring affairs.
3. Watch the Snap Counts: See if the younger cornerbacks are getting fewer snaps in favor of veteran adjustments. This will be the first sign that the coaching staff is trying to fix the score gaps.
4. Evaluate the Kicking Game: Matt Gay is a weapon, but in a three-point loss, every missed opportunity or long-range decision matters. Stay updated on his consistency from 50+ yards.