INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have lost the turnover battle in each of the past two weeks, yet they have evened their record at 2-2.
If Indy wants to end its five-year playoff drought, it can't keep giving the ball away.
Taking better care of the ball has to start with quarterback Daniel Jones, who has four interceptions and three lost fumbles. Only New England's Drake Maye (nine) has more turnovers among QBs this season.
Jones threw a pick and lost a fumble in Sunday's 30-13 victory over Washington in London.
“I just met with him,” coach Shane Steichen said Monday. “We watched the game together, had conversations on those things and, like I said, I've got a lot of confidence in his ability moving forward. ... It's one of those things. When the play's over, it's over, right? We don't need to make something happen there if nothing's open in those situations.”
There are plenty of explanations for the Colts' five giveaways and minus-4 turnover margin over the last two games.
Jones has had trouble protecting the ball in the past. He threw 22 interceptions and lost 17 fumbles in his first two seasons with the New York Giants, when he was 8-18 as the starter.
He committed only eight turnovers when he took the Giants to the 2022 playoffs and had only three when the Colts started 7-1 last season.
That’s typically how it works — fewer turnovers, more wins.
Jonss also has been playing without injured receiver Alec Pierce since Week 2, missed reliable backup Ashton Dulin in Weeks 2 and 3 and played without six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen on Sunday. Recently signed Darius Slayton, who played with Jones in New York, hasn't seen the field.
Jones knows the ultimate responsibility for avoiding turnovers lies with him.
“You've got to understand when to take a chance, when not to, when to protect the ball, when you have a chance to make a play,” Jones said Sunday. “I think all that is something you’re always studying and learning, and I've definitely got to do a better job taking care of the ball.”
Run blocking. Through Sunday's games, Jonathan Taylor ranked fourth in the league in yards rushing with 353 and was third in rushing touchdowns with six. While he doesn't have a 100-yard game this season, he has three 90-yard games and three games with two TD runs.
Pass blocking. Jones is only part of the equation when it comes to turnovers. Most have happened when Jones was trying to avoid pressure, sometimes under heavy duress. On the second snap Sunday, left tackle Benhard Raimann was driven backward into Jones' path just as he was about to throw. The ensuing collision jarred the ball loose and Washington recovered.
WR Laquon Treadwell. Jones is finding Treadwell in key moments. A week ago, they hooked up on a completion that set up Indy's winning field goal. On Sunday, they did it twice — a 9-yard completion to set up a field goal at the end of the half and an 11-yard pass that set up Taylor's first TD run.
CB Sauce Gardner. It was not a good day for the two-time All-Pro. He gave up two long catches and drew a penalty on third down to extend a Commanders drive. That's not what the Colts expect from a player who cost them two first-round draft picks in a trade with the Jets last year.
Steichen said Monday that DE Arden Key will miss “some time” with a hamstring injury. Dulin also injured a hamstring Sunday, and LB Jaylon Carlies suffered a rib injury.
75 — Taylor rushed for his 75th career touchdown in his 88th game, tying him for the fifth-fastest to No. 75 in league history.
6 — Taylor also has a league-record six TD runs in international games.
The Colts visit the Steelers on Sunday. Indy has lost six straight at Pittsburgh, last winning there in 2008.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) gets past Washington Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson (2) to score a touchdown during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) passes the ball during an NFL football game against Washington Commanders in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
CLEVELAND (AP) — The White Sox are returning to Chicago one win from advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 21 years.
Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line in the sixth inning for the go-ahead runs and Sean Burke allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings of impressive relief as the White Sox rallied past the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.
Game 3 is Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, where the White Sox have two chances to do something they haven't done since 1906 — clinch a postseason series at home.
“They've been waiting 120 years, so maybe we can do it this year,” said Grant Taylor, who worked 1 1/3 innings and allowed one hit as he got his second straight save. "I think it’s going to be unbelievable. Those fans deserve it. They’ve been with us for three years of 100 losses and they’ve been with us a good bit this year giving us a lot of support as we’ve gone through this. So being able to give them a postseason game is going to be pretty special."
The surprising White Sox improved to 4-0 in these playoffs — all on the road — and are one win from reaching the ALCS for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. Chicago became the first team to reach the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, including a post-1900 record 121 defeats in 2024.
“Our club has been confident the entire year, regardless of the previous result,” manager Will Venable said. “They come in ready to play and turn the page. Now, we’re really excited to get playoff baseball to our fans.”
Munetaka Murakami hit an RBI single in the fourth to get Chicago within 2-1. Chase Meidroth added an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-2.
Jo Adell hit an RBI triple in the eighth and Chase DeLauter had two hits for the Guardians.
Gavin Williams struck out 11, tied for second-most by a Cleveland pitcher in a postseason game. But the offense failed to produce for the second straight game.
“We have had two-game stretches like this all year and we come right back. I've got a lot of faith in this offense. I have a lot of faith in this team,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “We've got our work cut out for us. Like I said, this team plays its best with its back against the wall.”
The White Sox went ahead with a three-run sixth.
Miguel Vargas led off with a base hit to chase Williams and advanced to second on a groundout. Randal Grichuk drew a walk before a wild pitch by losing pitcher Erik Sabrowski with Tommy Pham at the plate advanced the runners to second and third. Pham flied out to shallow left before Montgomery jumped on a first-pitch fastball to drive in the go-ahead runs.
Montgomery celebrated at second base before scoring on Meidroth’s single to right.
“I was just ready for something to attack, and I was ready for his hardest stuff. I gave myself my best chance to succeed," Montgomery said. “I can’t even describe how it felt. It’s exhilarating. I was just taking it all in.”
Burke came on with one out in the third. After Travis Bazzana walked with one out in the fourth, the right-hander retired 13 straight batters until DeLauter got a base hit to end Burke's night.
Burke struck out six and threw 83 pitches, including 53 strikes, to earn the win.
“I was able to settle in and find my groove,” Burke said. “I’ve had openers before, but not in this situation, so I talked with a lot of guys. It’s just normal baseball when you get into that game.”
Taylor entered and allowed an RBI triple to Adell before Nathaniel Lowe flied out to end the eighth.
After getting shut out Saturday, the Guardians struck quickly with a pair of runs in the first.
Steven Kwan led off with a single and José Ramírez walked before Chase DeLauter's grounder off opener Anthony Kay moved the runners to second and third. Sean Newcomb came on and intentionally walked Adell to load the bases. Lowe hit a high chopper to drive in Kwan, but Newcomb threw it wide of the bag at first, allowing Ramírez to score on the error.
It marked the first time in four games this postseason the White Sox were behind.
Kay faced three batters and threw 17 pitches, including eight strikes.
Williams didn’t allow a hit until Kyle Teel led off the fourth with a single.
The right-hander allowed two runs and four hits in five-plus innings. He had eight strikeouts in the first three innings and became the first Cleveland pitcher to strike out five straight in a postseason game.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Sean Burke talks to reporters after Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Chicago White Sox's Chase Meidroth, left, and Colson Montgomery, right, celebrate after Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, right, forces out Chicago White Sox's Colson Montgomery (12) on a double play ball hit by Sam Antonacci in the third inning of Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series in Cleveland, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Chicago White Sox's Kyle Teel, right, scores off an RBI-single by baseman Munetaka Murakami ahead of Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey during the fourth inning of Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Chicago White Sox's Tristan Peters, left, reacts after striking out during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams celebrates after completing the top of the fourth inning of Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Chicago White Sox's Braden Montgomery (24) watches his 2-run double during the sixth inning of Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
