Shane Steichen has a novel idea with the game on the line on a 2-point conversion: `Put it in 5's hands...' Colts survive and stay (barely) in the wildcard race

Twice in three weeks now , Richardson has led the Colts to come-from-behind, game-winning drives. Kid's growing up.

MY COUCH, Ind. -- For 55 minutes, the Colts played like they were trying to get somebody fired. Like the defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, whose leaky defense allowed 422 yards to the worst offense in the league and didn’t force a punt until five minutes remained in the game. Like the general manager, Chris Ballard, who can’t afford another losing season on his decidedly mediocre resume. For 55 minutes, the Colts appeared headed to 5-8 and too far gone to make some kind of playoff push in the season’s final month, trailing late and making the Patriots look like the Greatest Show on Turf.

And then they grew a pair, their season – and perhaps some jobs – squarely on the line.

Specifically, Shane Steichen grew a set, choosing to go for the 2-point conversion after the Colts scored a touchdown to come within a point with 12 seconds left in regulation. As the old saw goes, play for a win on the road and a tie at home. I’m not sure who came up with that bit of sports philosophy, nor do I know if analytics bear out the wisdom of such a move, but it made perfect sense for Steichen and the Colts.

Here’s why: