Houston Texans

Colts' Chuck Pagano feeling 'encouraged' after meltdown in Houston

Published Nov. 15, 2016 1:54 p.m. ET

Brett Smiley

You'll have to ask Colts fans how they feel about Indianapolis' late-game meltdown in Houston on Sunday night. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano feels encouraged.

Why? Here's the full context of Pagano's remarks, coming the day after the Colts blew a 23-9 lead with about seven minutes to go in an eventual 26-23 overtime loss:

"I think what we are is a three-quarter team. And we've got to find a way to become a four quarter team. A lot of good football there. You know, we start some games slow and some games strong. We started that one strong and didn't finish well. Credit Houston. They played well, they got the momentum there late and made plays and we didn't execute down the stretch the way that we executed early in that game. I'm encouraged. You guys probably think I’m crazy, but I’m encouraged. Because we got a group of guys and coaches who care. They’ll fight. There’s no pity parties in this building. There’s no pity parties in football. You watch the tape, you make the adjustments and corrections and move on."

Unfortunately for Pagano, NFL games are regularly scheduled for four quarters.

There's probably no coaching seat hotter in football right now than Pagano's. The offense got conservative late in that game, prevent defense prevented a win and the players missed tackles. That's the other thing -- the defense is paper thin and there just isn't much talent on the roster.

Pagano apparently has a storage shed of optimism but he may soon be out of chances to use it.