What is wrong with the Colts’ run blocking?

What is going on with the Colts’ run blocking so far this season?

There hasn’t been much for fans in Indianapolis to complain about through the first month of the 2020 season as the Colts currently sit at 3-1, just a half-game behind the Titans, who have played one fewer game than them, for first place in the AFC South.

The defense is playing as good as advertised following their woeful performance in Week 1, as it now ranks prominently across the major statistical categories, including leading the NFL in both points (14.0) and yards allowed (236.3) per game.

The Colts’ passing game hasn’t been anything to write home about, but Philip Rivers isn’t normally going to be asked to carry the offense and the wide receiver position has been decimated with injuries, so we won’t come down too hard on them. At the same time, however, we won’t be as forgiving of the lackluster rushing attack.

Indy was clearly built to fatigue opposing defenses and dominate time of possession by running the football, but their offensive line simply hasn’t been as imposing in the running game as its been in pass protection. Why is that?

We’ve been consistent in asserting that Jonathan Taylor still has a lot to prove and hasn’t been hitting the holes created for him. However, stats prove the Colts’ offensive line isn’t generating a semblance of a push at the line of scrimmage.

According to Football Outsiders (via Stampede Blue), Indianapolis has the fifth-best offensive line when it comes to pass blocking, but they rank a shocking 28th in the NFL in run blocking. With those numbers in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Colts rank dead last in the league with just 3.5 yards per carry.

We really hate to dampen the mood amid a three-game winning streak, but these struggles come despite the fact the Colts have yet to face a top-15 run defense — Chicago currently ranks 16th — through the first quarter of the season. If the offensive line hasn’t been able muster any domination against those teams, what exactly is going to happen when they face off against some of the league’s most imposing front sevens?

It’s not like you can make the argument that game script has largely skewed Indianapolis’ YPC, either. For context, the team has taken a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter in each of its last three games, so its reasonable to assume they were facing stacked boxes.

However, Colts running backs are averaging just 3.8 YPC in the first half of games this year, which would have ranked as the seventh-worst tally in the league in 2019. When you consider that they run the rock at the sixth-highest rate (50.4%), head coach Frank Reich and Co. need to find a solution.

What’s even more befuddling is that we can’t point the finger at the offensive line being forced to overcome injuries. Outside of left tackle Anthony Castonzo, who’s been battling a rib injury, everybody is seemingly fully healthy.

The Colts OL hasn’t been the subject of much criticism in recent seasons, and rightfully so given their remarkable collective effort. However, they unit needs to figure out what the issue is in running situations. If they don’t, the team’s goal of making a deep run in the playoffs won’t come close to being realized.

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