With one minute and 44 seconds left on the game clock of the Colts' Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Rams lined up at their own 12-yard line to start their drive. The Colts lined up across the line of scrimmage – but they only had 10 men on the field instead of 11.
The ball was snapped before the Colts were able to correct their mistake and, to make matters worse, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon tripped over his feet as soon as he attempted to drop back and cover his receiver. That receiver was Tutu Atwell, who immediately broke free and sprinted down the field, wide open near the sidelines for a 28-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford that Atwell then easily took an extra 60 yards downfield for an 88-yard touchdown.
The Rams took a 27-20 lead on the score and won the game just a few minutes later.
While speaking to the media on Monday afternoon following the Colts' first loss of the season, head coach Shane Steichen took responsibility for the error.
"It shouldn't happen," Steichen said. "It's unacceptable. It starts with me as a head coach. I've got to recognize that we only got 10 and call a timeout there. It shouldn't happen.
"Coaches just calling in the defensive personnel and making sure we got 11 guys out there. And it didn't get communicated well enough and it's on me."
