Panicking about Colts’ defense after Week 1 is massive overreaction
Colts fans panicking about the defense after Week 1 loss to Jags need to relax.
There’s no way around it; the Colts’ Week 1 loss to the Jaguars was bad. But these kinds of things happen, especially against divisional opponents in the very first game of the season. And for Indianapolis, the defense, believe it or not, needs the most work and had no time to log reps together in the preseason.
So for fans to panic after the team allowed 27 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars is quite an overreaction and, might we say, irresponsible.
“Colts must revamp defense to become a championship contender” is an article that can pretty much be written about most teams, especially in today’s NFL.
Over their last 6 games, the Colts defense is:
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 15, 2020
— giving up 29/gm
— allowing opposing QBs to complete 75% of their throws
A deep dive into the Cover-2, what it’s designed to do, why it’s worked in the past + why Matt Eberflus’ unit is struggling of late: https://t.co/CRqIjrrgHo
Sure, we can give the Colts plenty of flak for how they finished the 2019 season, which ended with another embarrassing loss to the Jaguars, but they can’t be faulted for giving up points to the Titans, Buccaneers and Saints. Those are three good teams that possess a lot of talent.
Starting 2020 with a second straight L to Jacksonville is bad, but did the defense really blow this one? They allowed 173 passing yards and 91 rush yards — that’s well under 300 yards of offense. Two beyond-baffling Philip Rivers interceptions set up the Jaguars deep into Colts territory. The Jags had only one good drive — a nine-play 75-yarder that resulted in a TD. Then, to start the second half, the defense forced a three-and-out, and then Rodrigo Blankenship missed a chip shot field goal.
Colts have done a pretty good job against the pass, save for that touchdown throw. The 75 yards on 11 carries, that's the problem for this defense so far.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) September 13, 2020
The offense putting the defense in terrible situations is not the defense’s fault. Plus, how many new starters/key backups are featured on this unit? Xavier Rhodes, DeForest Buckner and TJ Carrie still need to get up to speed in a different system. Rock Ya-Sin is also looking to rebound after a trying 2019 campaign.
Sure, there were some blown coverages, and the Jags had a 50% third-down conversion rate, but the defense allowed just 241 total yards, registered four sacks, and committed just two costly penalties.
Let’s relax about the defense needing a colossal overhaul. A number of things didn’t go their way, and they can’t be faulted for largely neutralizing the Jaguars with the exception of allowing points after being put in terrible spots. When the Colts rebound in Week 2 against the Vikings, you’ll forget about this pretty quickly.
