![Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked on the play by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) as defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) helps during the second quarter of a regular season game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Fooball American Football Gridiron Football Nfl Colts Indianapolis Jacksonville Jaguars Regular Season Home Opener 2022](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fhorseshoeheroes-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2022-2F09-2F19073018-850x560-ac8724ef05352dc0149ce11cee34cbdac1731edd546993089d7d4384af66b3ac.jpg "Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked on the play by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) as defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) helps during the second quarter of a regular season game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Fooball American Football Gridiron Football Nfl Colts Indianapolis Jacksonville Jaguars Regular Season Home Opener 2022")
2. Gus Bradley and the defense was out-schemed
Something Indianapolis did add this offseason was a defensive coordinator. Not necessarily by choice, but after Matt Eberflus took the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, the Colts moved on with Gus Bradley. He inherited a talented defense that also added Yannick Ngakoue and Stephon Gilmore as well.
Unfortunately, Bradley and that defense did not have a great day on Sunday. While there were some player errors and plenty of room for the guys on the field to improve, Bradley was also simply out-schemed.
Trevor Lawrence had an easy day for Jacksonville, completing 25-of-30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He threw zero interceptions and also wasn’t sacked at all. A lot of Lawrence’s completions were easy throws to open receivers.
This isn't a criticism of Jacksonville. It's actually a criticism of the Colts' inability to adjust. Like, why is E.J. Speed matched up with Christian Kirk over the middle like on the last play?
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 18, 2022
That’s because the offensive play calling was always one step ahead of Bradley and the defense. If Indy was playing a conservative zone, Lawrence would find a shallow receiver. If the Colts went man, Jacksonville always schemed the perfect matchup like Christian Kirk on EJ Speed.
The defense has to be better, they have plenty of talent. Things will also likely improve once Shaquille Leonard is back on the field. But, on Sunday, Indy’s defense was put in a lot of bad situations schematically and Bradley has to do a better job in the matchup of coaches moving forward.