What can the Colts do to take more deep shots?

The Colts passing game has been underwhelming so far this season. They haven’t really taken any deep shots. This is how you can change that.

Andrew Luck throws a great deep ball. We have seen that over the course of his career. But this season, he has hardly thrown any at all. He has been handcuffed to a more dink and dunk offense. The Colts need to change that, and they can.

It seems that the main reason why they haven’t taken as many deep shots is because of the offensive line. It has been injured all year long and hasn’t had any continuity. But the Colts can fix that by leaving a running back to help with pass protection on deep routes.

The offensive line isn’t a totally valid excuse. It definitely plays a part, but it is not so big of an issue where the Colts should abandon the deep ball all together. They need to take more chances in the passing  game. They need to stop being so conservative.

Allowing Luck to throw it deep opens up the rest of the offense. Having that threat of a big play opens up the running game because the defense is forced to leave its safeties back. But here is how to take more deep shots and make them effective.

Running the ball well is the single best way to take more deep shots. Running it well allows the play action to be used. Play action freezes the secondary and allows receivers to get behind them. Then Luck can wind up and launch it to the open receiver.

The Colts have to stay committed to the run game. If they do, they’ll be able to take more deep shots. If they don’t they’ll have to throw it short more.