Heading into Week 7, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the Indianapolis Colts, but also questions. Yes, the Colts had been steamrolling virtually every opponent they faced, but they also admittedly were facing a lot of easy teams. Their game against the Los Angeles Chargers was a chance for the Colts for prove their success is the real thing - and they passed with flying colors.
Even while playing in SoFi Stadium, the Colts dominated, making it clear that this Indianapolis team is a legitimate contender. Daniel Jones continued to play like an elite quarterback, and Jonathan Taylor is still on track to be named Offensive Player of the Year, if not league MVP.
Yet while the offense has been getting most of the attention throughout the season, the defense has been quietly capable, too - particularly the defensive line. While the secondary has struggled a bit more, the Colts defense has clearly improved in a big way from 2024.
The Colts’ Defense Is Finally Playing with Confidence and Chemistry
After the game, Tyler Warren, DeForest Buckner, and Jonathan Taylor all spoke to the media about the win, and Buckner had high praise for Grover Stewart and Samson Ebukam. The Colts defense showed some serious teamwork Sunday, with Buckner again proving his role as a leader in the locker room is one that he takes seriously - and is well-deserved.
Buckner ended the game with two sacks and four quarterback hits, with one of his sacks coming at a crucial moment in the game. With only four minutes left in the game, the Chargers were driving down the field, having made it to the Colts 20-yard line - and it looked like the Colts could be facing an unexpected loss.
Enter Buckner, with a huge sack that changed everything. And in his postgame comments, he made it clear why he is the leader of this team.
"They were moving the ball well down the field. Obviously, they were dropped back past almost every play, pretty much every play," he said. "We knew we had to take advantage of one-on-one opportunities and pass-switch opportunities. We knew he was going to hold it a little bit. We just found opportunities to make a play. That was a long drive. There were plays that we had to dig deep and somehow get a win, and we did."
Of course, Buckner wasn't the only one to shine. Grover Stewart picked up a major interception, giving the often-underlooked defender the chance to show how good he is, too. And like the leader he is, Buckner made sure to give him his flowers. It was the first interception of Stewart's career, and he's now the heaviest Colts player to make an interception in franchise history.
But it wasn't all Stewart, of course; as Buckner pointed out, it was a team effort, Samson Ebukam applied pressure to Justin Herbert, batting down his pass and setting Stewart up for the interception.
"Grove getting his hand on the football. He always comes up to being a turnover," Buckner said. "This time, he just did it to it. He just tipped it to himself. That was a great play and a great heads-up play by Samson by holding on to Herbert so he could catch it. It was a great all-around, big-time play. They were in the red zone getting ready to score, and big Grove came up with a big play."
Nick Cross also came up with a big play, which was one of the few bright spots in the secondary. But overall, this defense feels different from what fans saw in 2024. Lou Anarumo hasn't necessarily been all the Colts likely hoped he would be, but leaders like DeForest Buckner and Zaire Franklin are keeping the unit rolling.
The offense may get all of the attention, but the defense has been getting the job done, too. Buckner and his crew are a major part of the Colts' success, and while seeing Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor light up the field might be more exciting, the defense deserves some praise, too.