FINAL: Indianapolis Colts Dominated by Cincinnati Bengals, 42-28

Dec 8, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (15) makes a catch and rushing into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts were unable to climb out of a big hole on the road Sunday afternoon. The Colts suffered their fifth loss of the season, this time at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals, 42-28.

Indy (8-5) was down 21-0 before they ever even got into the red zone on Sunday. It also didn’t help that the Bengals were gifted a touchdown at the end of the first half.

Bengal’s running back, Benjarvus Green-Ellis, appeared to be tripped up at the goal line by nose tackle Josh Chapman on fourth down. He was ruled down at the one-yard line. After review, head referee Jeff Triplette overturned the call and awarded the Bengals the touchdown as Green-Ellis bounced into the end zone following being tripped up.

After the game, Triplette stated that no one tagged Green-Ellis down when he fell, completely omitting the fact that he was tripped up. He even stated that they didn’t look at that part of the play.

That made the score 14-0 at the half. After the play was reversed, twitter erupted as people all across the country decried the play. There is simply no excuse for Triplette making such a terrible call, let alone not even reviewing the entire play. How he is still employed is beyond me as this isn’t the first time he’s been at the heart of controversy (last week’s Giants-Redskins game, and the infamous coin-flip game).

Despite the play, the Colts defense simply wasn’t up to the task of stopping the Bengals. They gave up 430 yards, a 50-percent conversion rate on third down, and obviously couldn’t keep them out of the end zone.

Offensively, we saw two young receivers finally step up for the Colts. Da’Rick Rogers and LaVon Brazill both had outstanding games, each hauling in two touchdowns.

Rogers had six receptions for 107 yards. Brazill hauled in three passes for 53 yards. Darrius Heyward-Bey continued to drop passes, and the coaching staff finally decided to give the younger players a chance.

This also might have been one of Trent Richardson’s best games. He had six carries for 20 yards, which amounted to 3.3 yards per carry an improvement from his normal 2.9. What was most impressive was his running after the catch late in the game. He had five receptions for 68 yards.

Andrew Luck had a good day completing 29-of-46 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns. While Luck was good, it would have taken a great day for him to overcome the play of his defense on Sunday.

The loss drops the Colts into the fourth seed in the playoffs. If the Titans lose today to the Broncos, the Colts will win the division.

Up next, the Colts will host the floundering Houston Texans.

Don’t foget to follow us on twitter, @InkOnIndy.