Two weeks into the season, the Indianapolis Colts are already staring down a familiar problem. PFF metrics show Indianapolis still can’t fix its historically bad defense, and the numbers back up the eye test. The unit ranks 30th in EPA per play, 29th in success rate, and dead last in the league in scoring drive rate allowed at 58.3%. Facing Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes in back-to-back weeks didn’t help, but the issues go well beyond two tough matchups. Run defense, pass rush and tackling have all been shaky, a continuation of a slide that sank the Colts down the stretch last year.
And they still allowed an NFL-record 1,029 yards through their first two games of the season.
The offense is carrying the load
Shane Steichen’s offense has at least given the Colts something to build around. Jonathan Taylor has Indianapolis first in the NFL in rushing EPA per play, and it isn’t particularly close.
The passing game is a different story.
Daniel Jones is sitting on a 64.6 overall PFF grade, and Tyler Warren has managed just 0.61 yards per route run, numbers that suggest the tight end hasn’t found his footing as a full-time weapon yet. Alec Pierce missing time with a heel injury has only tightened the margin for error.
There might have been some reason for optimism in Week 2, despite falling in overtime at Kansas City. Jones said following the game they had their chances.
“I think it just comes down to us executing and doing what we need to do every play, staying on schedule and playing good smart football. We weren’t able to do that.”
There’s a case for patience
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Indianapolis gets the benefit of the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the league, and multiple divisional opponents are winless as well, which keeps the AFC South door open longer than the record might suggest. A defense this far underwater doesn’t fix itself overnight, though, and every week it stays broken puts more pressure on Taylor and an inconsistent passing attack to cover for it.
How much runway does Steichen actually have? Two seasons of second-half fades have already put his job under a microscope, and a third straight defensive collapse would make it difficult for the front office to wait much longer for results.
