Jeff Saturday, the newly appointed interim coach of the Colts, heard all the noise surrounding his hire, and all he did was go out and preside over a 25-20 win over the Raiders in his first game in his new role.
After a week of criticism, Jeff Saturday wins his debut as an NFL head coach and nobody was happier about it than Pat McAfee. One of the key decisions the new coach made leading up to this game was to make a quarterback switch, as Saturday inserted the veteran Matt Ryan back into the starting lineup and send Sam Ehlinger to the bench.
Ryan completed 21 of 28 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown in the victory, and also rushed for a career-high 38 yards and one touchdown. While down in the fourth quarter, Ryan led a 82-yard drive that ended with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Parris Campbell.
Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee had fun on this day as he trolled just about everybody who had something to say about Saturday.
He would tweet about Saturday while including a GIF of someone who trashed the new head coach.
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Saturday quickly made the decision to put Ryan back under center after being named the interim head coach on Monday, and it was one of the first big decisions Saturday made in his new position, and it’s one that directly led to the Colts’ fourth win of the season.
“My wife and I were praying about this, and I wanted a player to get a chance,” Saturday told NFL.com’s Jim Trotter. “I’ve seen the Boones of the world go straight from TV to being the manager of the Yankees. I’ve seen basketball guys go straight to the head coaching job and get opportunities. I have not seen that in the NFL, and I told my wife, ‘This does not just come around. It’s not something that’s just arbitrary.’ And I felt very passionate and convicted that, if I step up and I do a good job, and people can see the way that former players can lead a group of men …
“I don’t pretend to be the smartest coach on the staff; I pale in comparison, and I mix [sic] no words. But I do know how to lead men, whether that’s coaches, players or an organization. And I know a bunch of men who are just like me that I’ve lived with, I’ve broken bread with, I’ve played with and against. And I want us to have a chance. I want players to have a chance. I had no idea if (Irsay) was going to go with me, but I just told my wife that I felt the Lord leading me here. The other side for me personally is, I care about this organization.
This isn’t just a job; this is the organization I lived in and my adult life was forged in. My wife and I have all our kids here. I told them the first day, it’s not just about players, it’s not just about coaches — although I love them and their families, and I understand the seat that they’re sitting in — but, bro, the equipment room, the media relations, the training room, I love them and care about them. I know I can help them and help this organization turn around and get the direct [sic] they need. Maybe I break through and different owners turn around and say, ‘Hey, maybe we give guys chances, and maybe it starts with people who have played for the organization.’ “
Sunday’s victory keeps the Colts within striking distance of the Titans in the AFC South.
Things will be much harder next week as the Colts will welcome the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles to Lucas Oil Stadium for a huge matchup.
