Indianapolis Colts: 2 Darius Leonard plays vs Texans that prove he’s back

There it is, Indianapolis Colts fans. The blowout you’ve all been waiting for! On Sunday, Indy decimated the Houston Texans by a score of 31-3 to improve to 2-4 on the year. This one was a full team effort that saw production from every corner of the roster.

However, it’s really encouraging to see Darius Leonard dig himself out of the early-season grave he dug. Over the last few weeks he’s returned to form, and he put an exclamation point on that notion in Week 6.

In the win, he recorded seven tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one QB hit and one pass deflection in an effort to truly pad the stat sheet.

In the previous two weeks combined, he logged 21 tackles and two fumble recoveries in a win over the Dolphins and that heartbreaking overtime loss to the Ravens. He continue to diversify his portfolio and prove he’s the undisputed leader of this defense against Houston, and these two plays further proved that The Maniac is back.

Darius Leonard recorded an interception and forced a fumble to help the Colts.

2. Intercepting Davis Mills right out of halftime

The Colts took a weak 10-3 lead into halftime and then went three and out to start the third quarter. Not exactly a way to set the tone against an inferior opponent.

But don’t worry, Leonard has been a catalyst in helping the offense all year. So maybe he got burned in coverage and got bulldozed on a few blocks during the first month of 2021? It happens. The one constant that’s remained is Leonard forcing turnovers.

When the Texans got the ball back, the veteran linebacker dropped into coverage and intercepted quarterback Davis Mills deep over the middle of the field. The offense was back in business.

Is that a defensive back out there?!

Two plays later, and Carson Wentz hit tight end Mo Alie-Cox for a 28-yard touchdown to take a 17-3 lead. That’s more like it.

1. Punch Fumble on David Johnson

OK, we’ll admit, we did give Leonard grief for trying to punch the ball out of Derrick Henry’s arm a few weeks ago when the Titans running back was coming at him full speed, but we do love when the All-Pro linebacker executes this technique in the right scenario.

With the Colts up 24-3 early in the fourth quarter, Houston was putting together a drive with hopes of closing the gap and not making this look as embarrassing as it was.

And again, it was Leonard who wouldn’t let them gain a shred of momentum. A handoff to David Johnson saw the Texans back scamper for six yards … before he was met by Leonard’s fist, which jarred the ball loose and gave Indy possession back at their own 37 yard-line.

The Colts scored on a nine-play, 63-yard drive to really put this one out of reach and secure the dominant win. The rushing and passing attack got the job done. The defense was flying all over the field and making plays. Leonard was forcing turnovers.

This is the way it should be. Hopefully this is more of what we’re watching the rest of the way.

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