Colts HC Shane Steichen draws criticism for his late-game management
The Indianapolis Colts let a huge opportunity slip away against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and Shane Steichen is under fire for the way he handled the end of the game.
The Chiefs came from behind to beat the Colts 23-20 in overtime in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes and company trailed 20-9 early in the fourth quarter and appeared destined for a loss when Kareem Hunt lost a fumble at the Indy 12-yard line with 14:48 remaining.
The Colts had several chances to put the game away, but they punted on their final three possessions of regulation. Their play-calling during that stretch of the game was also highly suspect.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor was abandoned late
Jonathan Taylor has been the best running back in the NFL this season, but you would have never known that with the way Steichen utilized him late in Sunday's game. As ESPN's Stephen Holder pointed out, the Colts went three-and-out on three consecutive possessions during the fourth quarter. They ran the ball just once in those nine plays.
The Colts completed two of the eight passes they attempted on the three drives. Taylor had one of the catches and turned it into seven yards.
Steichen, who calls offensive plays, finally decided to give the ball to Taylor in overtime, but it is fair to wonder if the game would have gone to OT had Steichen relied more on the All-Pro back during regulation. The Colts got the ball first in OT and ran it on 2nd-and-6 and 3rd-and-1, but Taylor was unable to pick up the first down on the latter play.
Taylor already has over 1,000 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. He has been virtually unstoppable at times and is by far Indy's best offensive player. Steichen will almost certainly regret not giving Taylor the ball more when the Colts were looking to put the game away.
The Colts fell to 8-3 with the loss, while the Chiefs improved to 6-5 and kept their playoff hopes alive.
BREAKING: Four Referees Suspended After Controversial Steelers vs. Bears Game
In a stunning development following the Pittsburgh Steelers' 28–31 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 12, the NFL has announced the suspension of four referees who officiated the game. The league's investigation revealed that the officiating crew overlooked several key violations committed by the Bears, significantly impacting the game's outcome and leading to an unfair defeat for the Steelers.
The game, held at Soldier Field on November 23, 2025, saw the Bears capitalize on a series of controversial calls—or lack thereof—that shifted the momentum in their favor, despite the Steelers leading most of the game.
One of the most glaring missed calls occurred in the third quarter when Bears linebacker Roquan Smith appeared to interfere with Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson on a critical 3rd down conversion. The no-call allowed the Bears to take possession, setting up a touchdown that brought them closer to the Steelers' lead, leaving Pittsburgh fans and players questioning the integrity of the officiating.
Additionally, a pivotal moment came late in the game when Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph was sacked on a play where Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks appeared to hold Rudolph's legs before the throw. The referees failed to throw a flag, allowing the Bears to gain a critical stop, ultimately leading to their comeback and victory. This no-call deepened the frustration among Steelers fans, who felt that key plays were being missed.
The NFL's decision to suspend the four referees underscores the seriousness with which the league views officiating integrity. In a statement, the NFL emphasized its commitment to ensuring fair play and accountability, noting that these suspensions are part of an ongoing review process aimed at maintaining the highest standards of officiating.
For the Steelers, the loss marks their fifth defeat of the season, dropping their record to 6–5. Despite the setback, the team remains focused on their upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Mike Tomlin expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back, stating, "We will learn from this experience and come back stronger."
As the NFL continues its investigation into the officiating crew, the Steelers' organization and their supporters await further developments, hoping for accountability and transparency in the league's handling of this controversial issue.
