A precursor to a Colts collapse? On a day marked by another missed PAT and a terrible call by the officials, Indy is heading in the wrong direction

Goodbye, Michael Badgley. Nice knowing you.

Two moments – a missed extra point and a horrendous officiating call on a Kenny Moore II pass interference that eventually led to a Houston go-ahead touchdown – and that was it. The Colts may not be imploding, having lost two of their last three games after the incredible start to the season, but they’re definitely coming back to the pack in the suddenly formidable AFC South.

Don’t look now, but Indy is hanging on to first place by a thread, tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars at 8-4, leading the Houston Texans, 20-16 winners Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, by one game. The Colts, who haven’t won in Jacksonville since September of 2014, face the Jaguars for the AFC South lead next Sunday.

This wasn’t a devastating loss – it’s still too early for anything to be that significant; the sky isn’t falling…yet – but it was hugely hurtful, in large part because they should have been in a position to try a game-tying field goal late in the game, trailing 20-16, but were forced to go for a touchdown after Michael Badgley’s third extra-point miss in three games.

“Gotta make ‘em,” Badgley said after the game. “Simple as that.”

Suffice to say, we’ve seen the last of Badgley. Head coach Shane Steichen wouldn’t commit to bringing in other kickers to compete for the job, but it’s obvious he’s seen enough of Badgley. It’s one thing to miss 50-plus-yard field goals; it’s yet another to miss extra points, which have to be gimmes at this level. He pulled his attempt after the Colts’ first touchdown, squarely hitting the left upright.

Doink.

“Yeah, I mean, I love Badge, but he knows he’s got to make those kicks,” Steichen said. “So, you know, we have faith in whoever we put out there…”

Whoever we put out there…

Bye bye, Badgley.