The defense for the Indianapolis Colts was expected to be an elite unit this season but they haven’t looked like that through the first two games.
The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for Week 3 with a 0-1-1 record. Expected to be a top contender this season, Indy’s struggles in the first two weeks have been well covered since everyone is so surprised. The offensive struggles for the Colts have been getting most of the headlines and that has allowed the underperformance of Indianapolis’ defense to fly under the radar.
Entering the season, Indy was expected to have one of the league’s best defenses. Defensively, the Colts were already a solid unit last year that specialized in takeaways and they returned three Pro Bowl players. Additionally, Indy added Yannick Ngakoue and Stephon Gilmore. This talent was on display in training camp as the defense consistently dominated the offense.
That gave everyone the idea that Indy’s defense would be a scary force in the regular season. However, that hasn’t been the case. Through two games, the Colts are allowing 22 points a game (17th in the NFL) and 315 total yards a game (11th in the NFL). That’s not really bad but it is rather mediocre.
Considering Indy’s talent level and the two offenses they’ve played, Houston and Jacksonville, it’s safe to say that the defense is currently underperforming. Why is that? There are a few reasons why, let’s take a look at them.
4. Colts miss Shaquille Leonard
The absence of All-Pro linebacker, Shaquille Leonard, is one of the first reasons many will jump to. Although Indy’s defensive struggles have been bigger than the linebacker spot, Leonard not being on the field is something that’s noticeable.
The Colts have tremendous linebacker depth, and that’s been evident in the play of Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed in the first two weeks. Both Franklin and Speed have been pretty solid against the run and that’s why that is one of the few defensive areas Indy is excelling at, only allowing 86.5 rushing yards a game, good for ninth-best in the NFL.
However, neither Franklin nor Speed are the pass defenders or playmakers that Shaquille Leonard is. A healthy Leonard makes a difference in the passing game and he also will find a way to make plays on the ball, something the Colts haven’t really been able to do in the first two weeks.
Through two games, Indianapolis only has one takeaway. That came from a forced fumble by Speed in Week 1. When Leonard returns to the lineup, his infectious energy alone will help the defense improve and make plays. However, that won’t solve all of the issues. There are a couple of other things plaguing the defense right now.