How good can the Colts be?
BY ADAM RIPBERGER
ISL Contributor
No one really knew what to make of the Indianapolis Colts heading into this season. After four games, the jury may still be out on this team. But could the Colts be the best team that nobody is talking about?
There were only a few roster tweaks for Indy, with the major move obviously coming at the Quarterback position. Phillip Rivers, a future Hall of Famer in the eyes of many in the football world- took over for a franchise that has had plenty of star power at the position. Rivers struggled last year with interceptions and many wondered how successful he would be in this system along with age being a factor as well. Having familiarity with head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni from his days in the Chargers organization, some were optimistic about the offensive production.
General Manager Chris Ballard upgraded the offense in the draft taking two skilled offensive pieces with Jonathan Taylor at running back and wide receiver Michael Pittman, to go along with arguably the best offensive line in all of football.
Through four weeks, the offense has had some ups and downs, but they should get a little more consistent with more time together. It remains to be seen if Phillip Rivers can do enough to make this team a winner, when coupled with the other strong pieces.
The story of this 2020 Colts team so far has to be the defense. Sure, the Colts haven’t played too difficult of a schedule so far, but all the Colts can do is play who is on their
schedule, and every win is a big win in the NFL. The Colts defense ranks 1st or close to it in nearly all categories including: yards given up, scoring defense, and yards per play. They have held opponents to a combined total of 56 points in four game allowing an average of 14 points per game. The offseason additions of DeForest Buckner
and Xavier Rhodes have proven to be huge as both are making an impact early along with rising star Darius Leonard and perennial pro bowler Justin Houston. In week 2, the defense stifled Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense allowing only single-digit passing yards, and then in week 3,
returning two Sam Darnold interceptions for touchdowns as they rolled in both games, outscoring the Vikings and Jets, 64-18. Week 4 presented a challenge in Chicago against a highly touted Bears defense and offense that had been coming off a come from behind win the week before, and all the Colts defense did was stifle Nick Foles and the Bears offense and held them to a season low 11 points. The Colts controlled most of the game and without a late touchdown in the final minutes from the Bears, the defense would have only given up 3 points the whole game. With another dominate performance, this put the Colts at 3-1, their best start since the 2009 season where ultimately, they went 14-2 and went on the super bowl that year.The schedule will be heating up in the coming weeks, which should prove just what the Colts defense is and if the team is ready
to take that next step and compete for a championship.
What’s Next?
The Colts will have an intriguing road challenge this week as they travel to Cleveland to take on the 3-1 Browns who are coming off a huge road win in Dallas this past week and are riding high at the moment with a ton of momentum heading into the game. Cleveland will be without star
running back Nick Chubb who was injured in the first half of the game at Dallas last week, but the Browns still managed to put up more than 300 yards rushing on the Cowboys defense. If the Colts want to come out with a victory on Sunday, they will need to contain the run game and force Baker Mayfield into tough situations and make him put the ball in the air which has made
him less effective in recent games and more prone to turning the ball over. It will be a tough challenge for the Colts, especially without Leonard in action. Win or lose- all eyes will be on this impressive defense moving forward.
