Adonai Mitchell after costly fumble: "That just can't happen. Just unacceptable."

The Indianapolis Colts suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 27-20 to the Los Angeles Rams in a game marred by critical mistakes.

Why it matters: This loss highlights ongoing issues with execution and discipline for the Colts, which could jeopardize their aspirations for a successful season.

• The Colts now sit at a 3-1 record after starting strong.
• Their offensive struggles raise questions about how they will perform against tougher competition moving forward.

What’s new: Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell's costly errors contributed significantly to the outcome.

• He fumbled a potential touchdown pass that resulted in a touchback for the Rams.
• A holding penalty by Mitchell nullified a 53-yard touchdown run by running back Jonathan Taylor, costing the team valuable points.

By the numbers: The Colts committed a season-high 11 penalties during the game, along with three turnovers, all of which were new for them this season.

• This performance is reminiscent of last year, when Taylor also mishandled the ball at the goal line against the Denver Broncos, further highlighting persistent issues with ball security.

Between the lines: Coach Shane Steichen expressed confidence in Mitchell despite his blunders, indicating that the team views these mistakes as part of the learning process.

• "But we have a lot of faith in [Mitchell]. This is a bump in the road for him," Steichen stated, emphasizing the importance of resilience.

Yes, but: Even with Steichen's support, the pressure mounts on Mitchell to improve quickly.

• His performance has drawn attention not only from coaches but also from teammates like Taylor, who highlighted the need for open communication: "I'm definitely going to have a deeper conversation with him."

What to watch: Moving forward, the Colts must address their execution and discipline ahead of their next game.

• Daniel Jones noted that self-inflicted wounds tend to be magnified against quality opponents, underscoring the need for improvement in practice sessions.

The bottom line: If the Colts want to contend this season, reducing penalties and turning mistakes into learning opportunities will be crucial.

• As they regroup, the focus will be on executing plays flawlessly to avoid similar pitfalls in future matchups.