Coming into Week 17, the Indianapolis Colts’ playoff chances are still alive, but far from favorable. They still have a 4% chance of getting into the dance. Many believed it would be the Colts’ offense that would be the struggling point after the loss of Daniel Jones. However, 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers has shown that he is more than capable of leading the offense to success. The defense is where the problems have lain for the Colts the last few weeks. Which brings the on the statement of the Colts’ defense needs to step up if they still want to get into the playoffs.
Bend but Don’t Break
Early in the season, the defensive side of the ball for the Colts was a solid unit. They ranked in the upper half of the league most of the year when it came to total defense. It was mainly due to a “bend but don’t break” mindset. That mindset fared well considering they were a top red-zone defense most of the season. They knew if they could hold opponents to 3 or 0 points on a drive, their offense would have a chance to win the game.
That mindset now seems to have changed. It’s easy to say that it looks like the defense has given up the way things have gone recently. Lethargic, confused, and conservative are some words that can be used to describe how the defense looks right now. That’s what the Colts’ defense has been the last few years under previous defensive regimes. Now, under Lou Anarumo, those qualities were supposed to change. At the start of the season, it seemed the “same old Colts” on the defensive side of the ball were gone. However, with injuries and depth issues, those same problems have resurfaced.
Injury and Depth Issues
It is worth noting that the defensive room has been plagued by injuries all season. Charvarius Ward just went back on the IR with his third concussion of the season. The Colts gave Ward a 3-year, $60 million contract this offseason, and he has only appeared in 7 games this season. DeForest Buckner went on the IR going into Week 10 with a neck injury and spent 5 weeks out. Buckner returned in Week 16, but reaggravated the injury and is now out for the rest of the season. Buckner will require surgery on his neck before returning to the Colts in 2026. In Week 13, the Colts’ main trade acquisition, Sauce Gardner, went down with a calf injury. Gardner has missed the last 3 games, but is expected to return Sunday against the Jaguars.
Depth at certain positions has also been an issue for the Colts’ defense. The Colts’ linebackers rank at the bottom of the league when it comes to pass coverage. While solid at stopping the run, the Colts cannot rotate guys in and out due to a lack of depth at the position. It’s also worth noting that when Gardner and Ward aren’t on the field, the Colts have a very lackluster cornerback room. The guys they have put in have been serviceable, but not at the level of being able to stop the league’s best offensive threats. The Colts’ pass rush is another area where the team has lacked production. They rank 12th in the NFL in sacks this season. On paper, it doesn’t seem bad. However, with the Colts playing backups at corner, a 12th-ranked pass rush won’t get the job done.
Come Out and Play With Fire
The Colts’ defense needs to come out and play with fire this Sunday against Jacksonville. The Jaguars have offensive weapons to turn this game on its head quickly. How do they stop it? One thing that will help is getting Sauce Gardner back in the lineup. He is listed as questionable, but is expected to play on Sunday. Another thing is to find that spark or formula that was successful in Seattle.
The Colts looked to have come out with a purpose that game. They need to do that again. Show that this defense can hang with the league’s best offenses, and prove that they can be a playoff-caliber defense. Whether it’s the veteran leaders stepping up or coaching adjustments, Indy cannot have another performance like they did Monday against the 49ers. Play like the season is on the line every play, which it is, and give the offense a chance to win the game. Get back into the “bend but don’t break” mentality.
Main Photo: [Christine Tannous/IndyStar] – Imagn Images