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Indianapolis Colts still a threat in AFC South despite mistake-filled loss
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- Indianapolis Colts still a threat in AFC South despite mistake-filled loss
INGLEWOOD, CA – Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell took responsibility for his premature celebration that cost his team a touchdown during the team's 27-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams .
"It definitely stings," Mitchell said postgame. "The ball was put in my hands to make a play for the team. It was a matter of losing focus. Just a play that just can't happen. Just unacceptable. I just got to be better for the team and for the organization."
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Mitchell's miscue occurred during the third quarter with the Colts down 13-10. The wideout did a good job of tracking the football and had a nice 75-yard reception. As Mitchell was about to cross the goal line for the go-ahead score, he lost the football as he attempted to celebrate, and it bounced out of the end zone for a touchback.
It was the second time in as many seasons the Colts celebrated a touchdown too soon to only let the ball trickle out of the end zone for a touchback. Running back Jonathan Taylor had the lapse in judgement last December.
Mitchell's fumble was part of three turnovers for the Colts. Daniel Jones threw his first interception of the season four plays into the contest. The Colts quarterback then tossed a game-sealing pick late in the fourth quarter.
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Rams safety Kam Curl was the recipient of both interceptions.
But, amazingly, despite three turnovers and 11 total penalties, the Colts still nearly won the ballgame.
The Colts defense stopped the Rams on three straight possessions after Mitchell's gaffe. Indianapolis managed to take a 17-13 lead on an 11-play, 90-yard touchdown drive. And added a field goal off a Rams fumble to extend their advantage to 20-13 in the fourth quarter. But the Rams answered with back-to-back touchdown drives, which included an 88-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to receiver Tutu Atwell that ended up as the game-winning score.
"All those plays and times when you hurt yourself, self-inflicted stuff, turn the ball over, penalties, and all that stuff is going to be magnified in a game against a good team," Jones said. "We fought and went back and forth, but ultimately we shot ourselves in the foot."
The Colts entered Sunday as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Jones hadn't thrown an interception and the team came into Week 4 having only punted once, the fewest punts by a team in its first three games of a season since at least 1940.
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Jones had two picks. Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez punted four times.
Sunday was a measuring-stick game for the previously undefeated Colts. They measured up with the NFC contending Rams through four quarters despite a slew of execution errors. The Colts showed they are a viable threat for their first AFC South title since 2014. They can compete with the top teams in the league.
Although Colts coach Shane Steichen has plenty of teachable film to rehash after Week 4.
"I thought our team responded. It was back and forth," Steichen said. "Even after the fumble, our defense, getting three stops there, and then us taking the lead. Credit to those guys, our guys in the fight they got. Obviously, just wasn't enough at the end."
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colts look like threat in AFC South despite mistake-filled loss
