Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen faced criticism after choosing to kick a field goal on fourth-and-1 against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. The decision came late in the third quarter, with Indianapolis leading 21–16 and the ball at Miami’s 33-yard line.
A successful 51-yard field goal would extend the Colts’ lead to eight points. Steichen could instead have gone for the first down, potentially relying on Jonathan Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones, or a run play featuring Tyler Warren. Indianapolis chose to kick, and Shrader made the field goal to put the Colts ahead 24–16.
## Miami Responds Quickly
The Dolphins moved downfield and scored early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Kyle McCord ran in a short-range touchdown. Because Miami had been trailing by eight, it went for a two-point conversion, but the attempt fell incomplete. The Colts held a 24–22 lead.
The quick response offered some immediate support for Steichen’s choice: after the touchdown, the field goal proved enough to keep Indianapolis in front. However, a touchdown on the Colts’ earlier possession could have given them a larger cushion. With plenty of time remaining, the impact of the fourth-down decision was still uncertain.
