Colts absolutely blew away franchise defensive record in first 3 games

The Colts defense blew away a franchise record through the first three games of the 2020 season.

Remember the concerns fans in Indianapolis had about the Colts’ defense after it conceded 27 points in a Week 1 loss to Jacksonville? As justifiable as that unified outcry was, it could have been viewed as an overreaction to the first game of the season.

Well, it turns out that might have been the case, as the Colts have responded with dominant performances in their last two contests, surrendering a combined 18 points en route to a pair of double-digit wins.

As impossible as it sounds after the Jaguars loss, Indianapolis has managed to set a new franchise record on the defensive side of the ball. Thus far in 2020, the Colts have allowed a combined 676 yards, which is the fewest allowed through the first three games of a season ever. Second place? 1991, when opponents mustered 751 yards against them.

The buzz out of training camp indicated that Indy’s defense had all the makings to be elite, and their performance out of the gates this season has proven the coaching staff right for hyping them up.

The Colts defense didn’t just shatter franchise records during Sunday’s 36-7 drubbing of the Jets, either. It managed to reach another couple of milestones as well, recording two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the same game for the first time since 1970. The unit also logged three INTs in back-to-back tilts for the first time since 1992, as well as safeties in consecutive games for the first time since 1960.

Don’t take a deep breath just yet, Colts fans. There’s still more numbers to dive into following the team’s Week 3 win. Heading into Monday night, Indianapolis leads the NFL in both total yards and passing yards allowed. It also ranks first in interceptions, second in total points conceded, third in rushing yards surrendered and sixth in sacks.

It remains to be seen if the Colts are capable of keeping up this absurd production for the rest of the season, but when you consider that their defense is comprised of (for the most part) young players who have yet to hit their respective primes, general manager Chris Ballard should do everything within his power to keep its core intact.

Up next for Darius Leonard and Co. is a date with the now-Nick Foles led Chicago Bears in Week 4. Say, what’s the four-game defensive record?

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