Colts’ Week 4 in Review: The Running Backs

Sep 29, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) prepares for the start of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville, FL – The Indianapolis Colts came up with a big win on the road in Jacksonville against the Jaguars on Sunday afternoon. They dominated the game from beginning to end, and wound up with the 37-3 victory. Indianapolis had both Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson play effectively last week against the 49ers, but with Bradshaw out due to a neck injury, Donald Brown was able to step up in a big way against the Jaguars.

Brown came in off the bench and carried the ball just three times, but he was able to total 65 yards on those three carries. When your third-string running back is able to come in due to injury, and average 21.7 yards per carry on three attempts, you’re going to be in good shape.

Trent Richardson played in his second game of his Colts’ career, and had a fairly good game. He carried the football 20 times for 60 yards, and also scored a touchdown. Once again, the critics are all over his 3.0 yards per carry number, and there is definite cause for concern as well. The Colts’ offensive line has not played up to the level that Ryan Grigson and company were hoping for, and they need to get that issue figured out as well.

The Colts’ rushing game will continue to open up the aerial attack for Andrew Luck and the rest of the Colts’ offense. If Richardson, Bradshaw, and Brown can figure things out and start breaking some plays, the opposing defenses will have to respect them even more.

Overall, the Colts ground game was very solid. It gave enough relief to the passing attack and Andrew Luck. The Colts do need to find a way to get Trent Richardson better blocking so that his yards per carry can go up. If they’re able to improve their run blocking, they’ll be just fine as the season continues on. The grade for the Jaguars game for the running backs would be a B+.

Evan Massey is an Editor at Naptown’s Finest. Follow Evan and Naptown’s Finest on Twitter.