Colts clearly have no starting running back and it’s a problem
Right now, the Colts don’t have a starting running back, and it’s a problem.
Not to beat the dead horse, but the Indianapolis Colts‘ offense was not good against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. No team can expect to win a game scoring 10 points, and while Philip Rivers wasn’t very good, that’s something Indy fans can expect by now.
The bigger concern in the run game, and we really thought swapping out Jonathan Taylor for Jordan Wilkins was going to be a potential answer after last week’s game against the Lions. Taylor apparently had a bum ankle and logged just 22 yards on 11 carries while Wilkins ripped off 20 carries for 89 yards and a score.
There is something to be said about taking the pressure off the rookie Taylor and give more reps to an experienced veteran like Wilkins, but if one thing’s clear, it’s that the running game is suffering beyond belief because there’s no clear No. 1 back. Yup, missing Marlon Mack is a big problem.
#Colts Week 9 RB Usage
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 8, 2020
- Jordan Wilkins, 34% snaps, 11 carries, 2 targets (38 yards)
- Nyheim Hines, 34% snaps, 2 carries, 3 targets (38 yards)
- Jonathan Taylor, 31% snaps, 6 carries, 2 targets (34 yards, TD, fumble)
Wilkins has 171 career carries. Taylor has played eight NFL games. Nyheim Hines is more of a receiving back, but for some reason he only touched the ball three times on Sunday! The Colts did rush 21 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, but four of those carries came from Hines and DeMichael Harris, which went for 46 yards. The other 66 yards came from Wilkins and Taylor on 17 carries, which is good for 3.8 yards per rush. 41 of the total rushing yards for the game cam on the first drive. Not great.
Mack, who was a true bell cow back, registering 247 carries last year, averages 4.4 YPC for his career. You don’t think he’s missed this season? The Colts still can’t figure out their rushing attack and there’s no chance they’re going to make the playoffs with the precarious Rivers throwing the ball over 40 times per game. That’s not the answer.
What I learned Sunday—
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 9, 2020
This defense is for real, one of the best in football, good enough to carry the Colts to the playoffs. But beating bad teams won't cut it. The offense — and the QB — need to stop shrinking in big games. Because it'll cost them.https://t.co/1fBgkznt4h
It’s obvious this offense was relying on Mack to carry the load as the team introduced Taylor to NFL action in limited doses, utilized Wilkins as the veteran backup option, and unleashed Hines in the passing game. They lost perhaps the most important piece to that equation, and we’re seeing the results as the weeks go by.
Frank Reich and Co. need to figure this out, because the running game is holding back the offense and the offense is holding back the defense. That’s not going to get the team to the playoffs.
