The Indianapolis Colts did not perform as expected during their Week 9 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
As of this writing, the Colts lost to the Steelers 27-20, but the game did not feel that close. Quarterback Daniel Jones, who has been a bright spot for the Colts since winning the starting job and helping the team come into Week 9 with a 7-1 record, has had one of his worst performances of the season, and fans were not happy about it.
NFL Fans Rip Into Daniel Jones Amidst Poor Performance Against Steelers
Jones threw three interceptions in the game, and fans are already making jokes that he has returned to his former poor playing form from his days with the New York Giants. For most of the afternoon, the Colts’ offense looked flat, struggling to establish rhythm through the air or on the ground, with several of Jones’ throws either behind receivers or directly into coverage.
On the day after Halloween, one fan joked that Jones had turned back into a pumpkin with his performance today.
Daniel jones tuning back into a pumpkin
— Var Var 🤙🏾 (@Tra_Varsity_) November 2, 2025
The hits on X continued to pour in against Jones, with another saying he put his New York Giants mask back on for today’s game.
Daniel jones putting on the NY giants mask back for halloween weekend…….
— Befall07🇵🇸 (@befall07) November 2, 2025
One fan compared Jones to former Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
Evidently we cannot rely on Daniel Jones. He is more Alex Smith than Peyton.
— mjstewar7 (@mjstewar7) November 2, 2025
Another Colts fan expressed relief that the team had yet to sign Jones to a long-term extension before witnessing a performance like this afternoon’s.
Daniel jones looking like Daniel Jones out there, who’d have thought?
Pity the colts didn’t give him that huge extension before he showed them who he really was 😔#RedZone #NFLRedZone #Colts #Steelers #Giants
— Chris Leavy (@ChristyElsom) November 2, 2025
More jabs followed about Jones playing like his former self with the Giants, with fans pointing out that he’s showing his true colors in the loss to the Steelers.
Giants Daniel Jones has shown up today
— Saquon Barkley Enjoyer (@Saquon4MVP) November 2, 2025
Looks like the real Daniel jones showed up
— PovertyCowboys (@brandon_da18020) November 2, 2025
Thus far this season, Jones has passed for 2,062 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just three interceptions before facing the Steelers. Prior to Sunday, Jones was being talked about as one of the better passers in the league. In fact, he had already been part of the conversation for a potential Comeback Player of the Year or MVP Award if he continued at his previous pace.
The Colts as a team have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 NFL season. Before running into Pittsburgh today, Indianapolis had racked up a record of 7-1 and sat firmly atop the AFC South division standings.
They’ll still maintain their lead in the division despite today’s loss, though the Jacksonville Jaguars currently have a winning record of their own at 4-3 and could climb back into the mix with a few more Indianapolis blunders. The Colts will need to clean up their turnovers, protect Jones better in the pocket, and find a way to reestablish their early-season rhythm if they want to stay among the AFC’s top contenders.
With the loss to the Steelers, the Colts will drop to 7-2 and hope to regroup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 next Sunday in Germany.