Here’s why the Colts defense hasn’t been as dominant as they were expected to be
1. The offense isn’t helping the defense out
Every week, the phrase complementary football is used to describe how teams want to play. Essentially, it refers to how the offense and defense can complement each other so that the team can have a great game and come out victorious. Throughout the first two weeks of this season, the Colts haven’t been playing good complementary football.
While the bottom line is that the defense needs to play well and stop the opposing team from scoring, that has been harder for Indianapolis’ defense since the offense is struggling. When an offense fails to get rolling, the defense is on the field a lot and often with bad field position. Even when the defense finds ways to make stops, opposing teams have a lot of opportunities to stay in the game or extend their lead because the offense can’t score.
But, to be fair, Indy’s defense hasn’t entirely held up its end of the bargain either. In the Week 2 game in Jacksonville, both the defense and the offense were letting each other down. The Colts’ defense struggled to get off the field on third downs, so they were unable to get the ball back to the offense.
Whenever the offense did get the ball, they would put together a short unproductive drive and send the defense right back on the field. In other words, the Colts were just a complementary mess and that’s why the outcome was what it was.
In order for things to turn around, the defense has to correct a lot of the mistakes they’ve been making, but the offense is also going to have to start helping them out. Unless Indianapolis develops into an all-time stifling defense, the team is going to need some points and sustained drives from the offense.
