Colts owner digesting Week 18 flop: 'Changes need to be made'

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay vowed to deliver changes Monday after his team choked away a playoff spot with a season-ending loss to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.

"One thing that's clear is changes need to be made," Irsay told Mike Chappell of Fox59. "And they will be made. We also realize we have to do it cautiously and with a thorough evaluation and full discussion in a calm environment.

"It's not an emotional thing at all. It's about evaluating the whole program, and clearly, changes need to be made."

The Colts lost 26-11 despite being heavy road favorites against the Jaguars, who finished the season with the NFL's worst record for the second straight year. Indianapolis also lost to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 when it had a chance to clinch a playoff berth.

Irsay was mum on what the pending changes might look like but said they won't come at the head coach or general manager levels.

"That was never in question," he said. "As an owner, I can say I have the utmost faith in Frank (Reich) and Chris (Ballard)."

The Colts finished the season at 9-8. They've made the playoffs twice in four years with Reich and twice in five years with Ballard.

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