INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH SHANE STEICHEN
Postgame press conference
Sunday, December 1, 2024
SS: Just a great team win. Found a way there in fourth quarter to get it done. It was some back and forth the entire game. But our guys offensively right there at the end. Obviously Anthony [Richardson] getting in for the two-point play, Alec [Pierce] making the play there at the end. Some fourth-down conversions that were huge during the game. I think we were 3-for-3 which was big. Good team win.
Q: What's the decision on the two-point conversion?
SS: It was one of those deals, inside 30 seconds. Felt good about the call. Obviously got to feel good about the call, but go for the win right there in that situation. If there's obviously like a lot more time, maybe over two minutes or something, maybe take the field goal and go from there. But felt good about the call there at that time.
Q: What did you like about the call?
SS: Put it in 5 [Anthony Richardson]'s hands to go get it. It was a zone read to where it might went to J.T. [Jonathan Taylor] around the edge. But he was reading the guy and, boom, he kept it up in the middle. Had Quenton [Nelson] pulling around there for him so it was good.
Q: This is the second time in three weeks he's done one of these. What is he showing just in his growth the past few weeks?
SS: It's huge growth. Anytime you've got a young player that can lead your team down to a touchdown, game-winning touchdown in this league, it comes down to a lot of those in this league, and that's huge growth. It's huge growth, that's huge confidence for him. Huge confidence for our team that he can get those things done. Fourth-down situations, got to have it. Put the ball in his hands again on some outside zone stuff. Just a phenomenal effort by him today.
Q: To do it after a couple of interceptions, not his best day, frustrating offensive day overall. What's that say to you in terms of the context?
SS: Great resiliency. Great resilience. The first interception he had, it was a hell of a play by the guy. He jumped up and tipped it. The next one the guy just undercut the route. You know what I mean? So you learn from those. Like I said, it wasn't dramatic. I'm not even concerned about that whatsoever. I thought he played his tail off. He really did.
Q: 19 plays on that last drive. What did you think of his poise overall even after some drops?
SS: No doubt. It shows the resiliency that he has even through some of those situations. Like I said, 19-play drive, holy smokes. That's big time to go down there and score with little to no time on the clock to get the victory.
Q: What did you see on the completion to Mo Alie-Cox that sparked that drive on fourth down?
SS: It was huge. It was a scramble play, ended up being a scramble play on that one. We were trying to catch man-to-man. They kind of zoned some things off. But again, got to have it situation. He created and hit Mo for the big one to get the first down.
Q: When your quarterback is the kind of competitor Anthony is, just physically in key moments what does it do for that locker room?
SS: I think it's huge. It sends a message to everyone, the toughness, the resilience he's playing with has been phenomenal. We've got to keep that thing going. We've got a four-game season coming up. We've got a bye coming up. Get some rest. Give those guys some time off. And then come back ready to roll for Denver.
Q: You said you feel good about the call, did you early in the season envision you would have an opportunity to go two and that was the play that you'd use, that QB power –
SS: No, that was the play that was designed for that week. You kind of go off of what defenses are doing schematically. And then you have the two point calls for that week.
Q: You're from a down and distance that was pretty similar to the two-point conversion on those three plays prior to. You had to have quite a few play calls for that area to be able to still have one you were comfortable with?
SS: First one we ran was a play we scored on earlier with Anthony. Then we came back with another one, just the outside one to J.T. And then obviously had to have it there with the fourth down. Ended up calling a timeout there to get the look to see what they were in. Thought they were in a little different look, and called timeout. Came back, maybe thought they were bluffing something. And then stayed with the call. And then obviously Alec hit the big one there on fourth down.
Q: What did you think about the physical effort to get in? Wasn't like they just let him in.
SS: Shoot, the physicalness that he runs with down there, it's hard to stop him down there. Shoot, they've got to have a couple, three or four guys to get him down. It was hell of a run by him.
Q: Offensive line, you have guys like Danny and Glow coming in there. How important was what they were able to do? And you kind of mixed and match along the front of that offensive line?
SS: It was huge to have those guys step in, obviously, with Danny coming in and Glow stepping up and moving Matt to right tackle, and Quenton has been a staple for us. And getting Bernie back – hell of an effort by those guys. I thought they battled all day. I think our run average, I don't know exactly what it was, I think we went over 100 or whatever, but those guys battled. We got three, four yards a pop. It was pretty good. So overall it was a good performance.
Q: Philosophically, regardless of time for the two-pointer, you're right there, you have a chance to win. Is that what you were leaning toward?
SS: No doubt, it depends upon the situation in the season. Maybe some playoff implications. I'm just talking hypothetically. But that situation right there felt good, going for it, a two-point play, down there, you're right down there with 16 seconds left. We already made down here, let's go win it.
Q: Can you talk about the defensive performance today? They gave up a lot of yards.
SS: We'll go back and look at that. Obviously we've got to do a good job stopping the run. And some completions they were getting, just looking at some things. But they battled. Our defense always battles. They've been playing really good throughout the last couple of weeks. We'll go back and look get some things cleaned up.
QUARTERBACK ANTHONY RICHARDSON
Postgame press conference
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Q: Are you just doing this every week now with a fourth quarter comeback?
AR: Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes.
Q: The two-point conversion, took a second effort, right, for you to get in there. Felt like you probably wouldn't be denied. Can you just tell us about the attitude going into that play?
AR: It was a two-way option on that. I know Shane called that play for a certain reason. I was reading the outside guys on it, but once I looked in the middle, I just decided I was going to take it and put it in my hands and try to make a decision right there and try to make it work. We made it happen.
Q: The play before that to get the touchdown, can you walk through what you saw and what made that play work?
AR: We were working that play throughout practice. Man-to-man looks. We have fast guys that can run away from defenders. I just trust A.P. and Pitt to get across the field. I was waiting for one of those guys to pop open and I threw it to A.P.
Q: To have a guy like Alec, what does he do for you and your game?
AR: He gets it in his head, get the ball in my hand. He's a deep threat. He has the speed to get the ball. He also told me before the game that every time he wears Panic cleats, he scores a touchdown. It was pretty cool to see him score a touchdown.
Q: 19 plays on that last drive. How did you stay patient even though you had opportunities that didn't go your way?
AR: I just play football one play at a time. Although some of those plays didn't go with plan, it's all good, we have to stick with it, each play. Because we had a play to work on each and every moment, so just stick with it.
QL Your role as a quarterback, facing fourth down after fourth down, 19 plays throughout that power drive, to keep everyone else on the same page there?
AR: Just keeping all the guys rallied up and just make it work. Despite any of the down and distances, just try to make it work, keep the guys rallied and just fight.
Q: You grow in these moments a little bit. The experience two weeks ago, did that help maybe make you stay calm and patient and stay ready for a moment like this?
AR: I believe so. I think it just allows me to play confident and free and fast, trust my teammates, trust the coaches and trust the process and go out there and play.
Q: Do you embrace situations like this, like want ball in your hands?
AR: No doubt. Whenever we're in that situation, I'd like the ball in my hands. I feel like I can make a play. But it's up to the coach, it's not up to me, to make the decision at some point. But if he believes I can make a play, make a change, I'll do it. If not, somebody else has to do it.
Q: When did you know that he was going to go for two?
AR: I think right before he even told us. I was just trying to make sure we got points on the board, honestly. When he told me, okay, here's the chance to win it, we've got to fight to make it work.
Q: As a player, obviously it's kind of going fast, you're probably not thinking about it. Is that what you want, even the chance to want to go for the win?
AR: Always. You want to win. It's hard to get wins in this league. That's a pretty good team over there. They fought. They battled throughout the whole game. We did as well. One of us had to win it today.
Q: Did you decide during the week, or was it today to bring back the 360 spike?
AR: I've been thinking about it all year. I've been telling my teammates I want to do it for them. I was telling some of my family as well. Kind of took me a second to process that I was going to do it. But I made it happen.
Q: Couple of backup offensive linemen in there. What did you think about their performance?
AR: Did a great job. I don't think they allowed a sack today. Shout-out to those guys.
Q: What's the emotion, obviously you have to win a game, but walking up the field, what's the joy like to know you're still in this thing as far as the season goes after that win?
AR: I don't know, honestly. We're not even thinking about the long run, honestly, right now. We're just trying to take it one game at a time, because earlier in the season that was our thought process, win, win, every game. But we know that now we've just got to focus on the moment, focus on the present and focus on each and every game, but right now we're trying to get healthy throughout this bye week and just back it up.
Q: Did you know on that drive that you were guys were going to go for two?
AR: Yeah and no. I really just left it up to Shane, honestly. If he felt comfortable with us going for 2 and getting the W, I was rocking with it. If he felt comfortable enough for Matt to go kick the field goal, I was rocking with it. I feel we had a chance the whole game.
Q: When he said keep those guys out there, what does that do for you inside?
AR: Builds a little bit of confidence, lets us know that he trusts us and the offense to go make a play. Put ourselves on the line to get a W.
Q: How important is it to get this win going into a bye week, for you guys to come back, have that drive and then go get the win and now you get a little bit of time to kind of recover and get ready for those final four games of the season?
AR: This is good for our morale obviously. Obviously there's a lot of excitement in the locker room right now. But we're looking forward to this bye week. Some guys need to rest up their bodies. Some guys need to go see their families. We're just taking it one day at a time looking forward to this next game.
Q: That fourth down to Mo Alie-Cox, how big was that, what does he mean for you?
AR: Shane was in my ear telling me, 'you've got to have it right here, make it work, find a way.' And luckily I looked down the field and Mo is basically right there in my face. I've got to get him the ball right here. I was glad he was able to catch it.
Q: You get a couple of deep balls there that you really put it where guys could get it and they didn't come up with it. How tough is it to bounce back from those?
AR: In the moment you may think it's tough, but you've got another play after that to make it work. I don't throw a great pass every chance there's a few passes I missed today. It is what it is. Our guys know they're supposed to catch the ball in that moment, and I'm pretty sure they're hard on themselves right now. So, yes, it's up to me to let them know they've got to catch the ball, but I'm pretty sure they're beating themselves up already. So I've got to be that peace for them.
Q: Take us through the two interceptions and the mindset to keep playing.
AR: The first one, they had a pretty good zone coverage right there. The end dropped right into it. I saw them, but I feel like I was able to rip it in there. He got his hand up on it. The second one, man-to-man routes, cross routes right there, I try to fit it in there to A.P., but the DB was able to cut underneath it. So I just got to find a way to throw better passes.
Q: You don't always have the opportunity to redeem yourself when you do make a mistake, but you did today. How validating is it to have the opportunity and make good on it?
AR: It's just a lot of love for our defense. I threw the interception. They went out there. I think it was 35 seconds. They got the ball back to us really quick. Just gave us a chance to go out and win again. And I definitely appreciate the defense and the offense for sticking with me.
Q: Throughout the season, how do you think you've changed?
AR: I don't think I've changed much. I've just, honestly, been myself throughout the whole process, but I think I've been able to relax, stay calm a little bit more. Take it day-by-day. Try not to focus too much on the future and try not to focus too much on the past. Take it day-by-day, try to get better each and every day.
ADDITIONAL PLAYERS:
Kwity Paye, DE
(On playing in front of family and friends)
"It's amazing. I was looking forward to coming back home. It's a different energy when I come back home. I'm very proud of where I came from. I'm proud to represent Providence and the whole state of Rhode Island. It was such a warm welcome from Patriots fans."
(On how much he reflects on his journey)
"It's crazy because people always talk about the numbers and the highs. Being an immigrant coming to Rhode Island and coming from Rhode Island to be a first round pick, and the odds were stacked against me. You never see that, but I'm truly grateful to be where I am at and I'm grateful for the process."
(On what it means to him getting a win in Foxborough)
"I was thinking about it while we were playing and how it would be great to get a win at home. It's a big team win."
DeForest Buckner, DT
(On how big of an advantage it is to go against an offensive line that doesn't have as much experience)
"It is definitely an advantage communication-wise and moving protections. Some of these guys don't have a lot of experience but they did a good job of trying to protect certain guys to give them some extra help."
(On the focus heading into the bye week)
"First off is getting some rest, getting some guys healthy and unplugging a bit. I was on IR early in the year but I was still working my tail off to get back and like everyone else, playing 13 games straight and finally getting a bye so we will reset our minds a bit and then come back ready to go."
(On watching the offense make those plays at the end of the game to win)
"When we needed them most, they showed up. That's why Anthony's [Richardson] here. He can make those big-time plays and extend plays when we need him to. It's just another game-winning drive under his belt in his young career and it's awesome to see him do it."
(On the play of Alec Pierce)
"He's taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to him. He hasn't had a game where he has had a whole lot of receptions or targets, but he is making those opportunities count. He approaches every day ready to work and he always talks about when he gets his opportunities he will make the most of it, and he does."
Michael Pittman Jr., WR
(On the win)
"It means we're still alive and we have a chance. We have to win out to give ourselves the best possible situation and it started today, so we just have to keep on going."
(On the game-winning drive)
"It was insane. That was absolutely insane. I don't think I ever played that many plays straight in my career. To go down and do that and come away with points was pretty great. The defense played great today. We are 1-0 this week."
(On the play of Anthony Richardson)
"Anthony is a heavy hitter now and if we need some short yardage, as much as I would like to pass the ball, in that short yardage stuff, him just running the ball, I don't know what our rate is of conversions but it has got to be pretty damn good."
(On the call to have Richardson keep the ball at the end)
"It's all or nothing, so it shows he really trusts our line, he really trusts Anthony and he ultimately put the ball in Anthony's hands and we came away with a win."
Julian Blackmon, S
(On the win)
"It's a big win, especially the momentum going into a bye week. It's something we wanted to make an emphasis of, to make sure we ended on a good note."
(On being able to hold the Patriots the red zone)
"It's a game of inches, and I feel like we definitely were giving up a lot of key plays that we could play better on. But when it came to the red zone, we just knew we'll protect it and I think we did a decent job. It could have been a lot better, so we'll watch the film and see what we can do to try and minimize the mistakes we were making."
(On his interception)
"Honestly Zaire [Franklin] made a great play. They ran a search route right off the ball and he broke on it because they had ran it in the red zone in the first half, the first quarter, they had ran that same play. I was telling him, 'you play that very aggressive and I'll take anything behind you.' So we played it out just like that and they ran the same play. He broke on it very well and he gave me the opportunity to catch a pick."
(On Shane Steichen's decision to go for two and the win)
"I was right there with him, let's go for it and give the ball to 5 [Anthony Richardson]. I think he did a good job, and he's competitive. It was awesome to see."
(On Anthony Richardson)
"I think it's just opportunities. You live and learn, and I think that he's learned. He's young and there is so much growth ahead of him. He has such a high ceiling that we are just excited for him and he's taking the steps he needs off the field and on the field in order to perform."
Mo Alie-Cox, TE
(On the call for the two-point conversion)
"I didn't know what was going on, because normally I would be like, 'What's the play?' But going into the play I didn't ask, I'm just watching, so I had no clue what we were running. Then we say, 'hike' and I just see AR [Anthony Richardson] take off. I'm like, AR up the middle, behind Q [Quenton Nelson] and all them, we've got a good chance. He punched it in and everybody just took off on the field. I mean gutsy win, gutsy call. We got it done and it's the momentum we needed going into the bye week."
(On that call by Shane Steichen)
"It speaks a lot about the belief he has in us, and the belief that he has that we can go out there and execute the call in critical situations. Not just that play, but that whole drive. I think we converted three fourth downs and the big touchdown to AP [Alec Pierce]. So definitely credit to him for believing in us and letting us go out there and get the win."
(On the pass he caught to set up the game winning touchdown)
"It was a man-beater. I don't think they came out in man, because I'm normally the picker. Normally I'm not even an option on the play, but I look up after I set the pick and see AR scrambling to the right. I'm like, 'alright I think I'm the only receiver on this side, so it's either he runs it or the ball has to come to me.' So I just tried to stay in phase with him and kudos to him he made a good pass and we just converted."
Zaire Franklin, LB
(On winning the game in the last two minutes)
"Man, definitely I am not a gambling man, I don't watch scary movies, I like rom-coms and I like to know the ending. But you put the ball in 5 [Anthony Richardson]'s hands, he is a superstar in the making. I just love watching him continue to grow and develop as player and continue to bounce back and fight. He is a special player."
(On the growth of Anthony Richardson)
"I said it to him, I said, 'look, when you commit to the process, you give yourself a chance to be great, it's no guarantee, but you give yourself a chance.' He gives himself a chance every week to be great. He has had the opportunity to show up and answer the bell for us a couple of times and it's just special."
(On the win)
"I mean, this was a gritty win. It's never easy in this league, and they have great players on that side as well, but we needed this one. We needed this going into the bye. Let's get refreshed and let's come back and go on this run."
(On the importance of the win heading into the bye)
"I think, take our time off, enjoy your family and enjoy the rest. When we get back, defensively we have to step our game up. If 5 [Anthony Richardson] is going to play like that we need to be better than this. We appreciate that a win is a win, but at the same time we need work hard when we get back."
Grant Stuard, LB
(On the win)
"This is the start of a run that we need to go on. It's important that we work together toward victory and build on this, playing complementary football. We are trying to keep this momentum and go 4-0 in our next four games and keep this win streak alive."
(On Drake Maye)
"I think he was calm under pressure. I thought he made good decisions for the most part. He definitely has a lot of talent. I think he will do good in this league, for sure."
(On the red zone defense)
"We talked all week about stopping the run, no touchdowns in the red zone, things like that. It keeps us in the game as a team. As a defense we work on being consistent in that manner. When we play teams like this and they get down there so many times, you see every play in their repertoire. We have to improve as a defense making stops consistently and just being confident and making plays. It keeps us in the game and I am proud of that."
(On the special teams play)
"New England is special teams central. Trying to match up with certain guys and moving guys around and knowing we are going to get an opportunity to really play because sometimes both teams on kickoffs just kick it out the back (of the end zone). When you have aggressive special teams both playing each other, it is really an opportunity to see where I'm at, especially against top returners in the league and [Brenden] Schooler who is a top player for them. That part of it was fun for me."
Danny Pinter, C
(On going for two and the play call)
"I mean, there's no one else we want to have the ball in that situation and we knew he [Anthony Richardson] was going to find a way. I saw we were going for two and everyone was fired up and when I heard the call, I was like, 'yeah, that's who we want to have the ball.'"
(On the last drive)
"That whole drive was awesome and it's just about being resilient. There were up and down plays and some plays didn't go our way, and it's just about coming out and battling the next play. I'm just so proud of the entire offense, and all five of those guys up front, they just battled play after play, and AR finished it off for us."
(On the development of Anthony Richardson)
"I think it's just his confidence. The game was up and down and he just never waivers. He has confidence in the huddle and you just always know the next play that could be the one. It is that next play mentality and that's contagious to everyone. Everyone just has confidence in the huddle."
(On how he felt on the field after his return)
"Fine, I feel like there are always plays you want back for sure. I think the biggest thing as a group – and we talked about it all week – just be resilient. Let's finish every play and just play as hard as we can, and I think you could feel that with the group. I think we got the run game going because guys just wanted to finish every game. There are plays you want back, there are things you want back, but that's football. Just come out and get better. I'm just proud of how we fought as an offensive line."
