3 reasons why Colts fans should still be hopeful despite Indy’s ugly play
By Dailey Gee
2. Colts’ defense is playing up to expectations
Indianapolis started out the first few games struggling on the defensive side of the ball. However, with the recent play of the defense, fans should be optimistic about the turnaround on hue defensive side of the ball.
Through the first five games, the Colts are still allowing 313 yards per game to opposing offenses. While the yards given up have not gone down a whole lot, the points per game are creeping down slowly. Since Indy beat the Chiefs, it seems like the defense has been a different animal. The Colts held the Titans to zero points in the second half of their game and held the Broncos to 9 in their most recent game. Indianapolis has allowed zero touchdowns through their last six quarters.
The defensive line was a question mark through the first couple of games. Why were we not getting to the quarterback? Those questions were answered after the Broncos game. The Colts had their way with the Broncos’ offensive line and made it hard on Russell Wilson and company. Indy now has 11 sacks on the season and is looking to add to that number this week. Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, Yannick Ngakoue, and DeForest Buckner have all come into their own and are looking like the defensive line they were expected to be.
The linebacker group is spearheaded by Bobby Okereke and Zaire Franklin. E.J. Speed has also seen some action and has done his job when called upon this season. The Colts have been without All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard for basically the whole season. However, this group has still been very good.
Zaire Franklin is currently tied for first in the NFL in tackles at 54. This is pretty impressive for a guy that had not played in this kind of role yet in his career. Okereke is the second-leading tackler on the team with 42. These two have been better in pass coverage than most expected and also make plays in the backfield when needed. When Leonard gets back and healthy, this could be one of the better groups in the AFC.
Finally, the secondary. All three of the Colts’ interceptions have been forced by a member of the secondary. This group is headlined by All-Pro Stephon Gilmore. He has been his old self this year by racking up the pass breakups and making clutch plays down the stretch of ball games. Kenny Moore II has also been very good this season in coverage and making tackles on ball carriers. This group is coming into form as of late and looks to continue to help this team win games.
The defense has been really good for the Colts over the last couple of years. If they continue to play with the swagger that they have been as of late, this group could be one of the better units we have seen in Indy.