The Indianapolis Colts did something this season that no other team did this year, and it wasn’t a good thing.
The Indianapolis Colts have one of the most respected running backs and rushing attacks in the NFL. All season Jonathan Taylor was praised and routinely excelled.
The passing game, on the other hand, was a different story. It was up and down throughout the season and couldn’t be trusted in the biggest moments.
Part of that is because of the inconsistency of Carson Wentz, but also because of how the Colts pass the ball. Indy struggled to have a balanced passing attack and that was represented in the stats.
The Colts are the only team in the NFL with only one player player with 400+ receiving yards.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 10, 2022
It was down to them and the Texans, but Nico Collins just got over 400.
Colts leaders:
Michael Pittman 1,082
Zach Pascal 385
Jonathan Taylor 360
T.Y. Hilton 331
Mo Alie-Cox 316
Receiving yards disparity is problematic for Colts
As demonstrated in the stats, Michael Pittman Jr. had a good season, but Indy’s inability to have another receiver over 400 yards is troublesome.
It’s not necessarily an issue of talent either because while the unit can be upgraded, players like TY Hilton and Zach Pascal have shown the ability to be productive. It just comes down to having a varied passing attack.
Pittman was targeted 129 times, 60 times more than Pascal who was second on the team in yards and targets. It’s unclear what exactly led to this gap.
It could be a result of play calling, chemistry, skill, or just quarterback decision-making. Whatever it is, it’ll be better for Indianapolis if they changed it.
If one receiver is going to carry the bulk of the passing attack, he has to be extremely special. Though Pittman made a big jump, he hasn’t reached that level yet.
The Colts need to find a better way to get everyone involved so all of the receivers can be trusted in big moments and also so defenses won’t just have to key in on one player to stop the pass.
The wide receiver room is a group Indy will have to address this offseason due to players entering free agency, but the team must also address its philosophy in terms of spreading the ball around.
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