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Colts’ 3 biggest strengths entering playoffs

By Jaleel Grandberry

Dec 18, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Andrew Sendejo (42) celebrates an interception by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Andrew Sendejo (42) celebrates an interception by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colts, Darius Leonard
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard intercepts a pass intended for New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry. /

Colts are great at forcing turnovers

Something else Indianapolis has done all season is take the ball away from opposing teams. Indy has a league high 33 forced turnovers, with one game left to play.

The Colts have forced 14 fumbles, 19 interceptions and recorded at least one takeaway in all but one game. The one game Indy didn’t force a turnover was the game that Darius Leonard missed and that’s no coincident.

Leonard has an uncanny ability to force turnovers, already with 12 this season. He loves making plays in the biggest moments, so he will definitely be eager to showcase his talents in the postseason.

In the playoffs, protecting the football is more important than anything. Games are often closely contested and one turnover could be the difference between advancing or going home.

The NFL’s playoff history is filled with game-changing turnovers. From Russell Wilson throwing an interception on the one-yard line to the Broncos defense recording two strip-sacks in Super Bowl 50 to the painful moment, that Colts fans wish to forget, of Tracy Porter jumping a route and taking a Peyton Manning pass to the house.

Turnovers often tell the story of the postseason, and fortunately for Indianapolis, no team forces turnovers better than it does. If the Colts defense is able to get their hands on the ball in the postseason with the same frequency that they did in the regular season, Indy can go far.

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