The much-maligned Indianapolis Colts defense made a statement against the Houston Texans on Sunday. They led the Colts to their first win of the season and gave fans hope that 2026 might not be quite the train wreck it looked like after two weeks.
In Week 4, Shane Steichen’s squad crosses the Atlantic to take on another team that got its first win on Sunday – the Washington Commanders. The Colts are an early favorite, but in order to come away with the win, they need to correct several lingering problems while building on some of the improvements that were evident against the Texans.
Spoiler alert: I’m not going to keep belting out the “get Jonathan Taylor help” chant many of us have been preaching. There’s only so much that can be done at this point. There’s no magic solution out there. But the general concept of diversifying the offense should help a little.
5 things the Indianapolis Colts must address for Week 4
Find downfield pass options
This is where Alec Pierce’s absence is really hurting the offense. The Colts still have quality pass targets in Josh Downs, Tyler Warren, and maybe Keenan Allen, based on his improved play on Sunday. But none are especially good at stretching the field. That doesn’t mean that Downs and Warren can’t occasionally run deep – and they should. Occasionally.
But they are all at their best in the middle of the field. Laquon Treadwell has made a couple of nice downfield plays, but he hardly seems like the answer. Maybe if and when Ashton Dulin returns, he can help. But the most immediate answer is rookie Deion Burks.
He is gradually working his way into the offense, and Steichen should take advantage of him with a few deep shots. Even if they don’t work, they can stretch the defense and make life a little easier for Jonathan Taylor.
And if he’s ready, perhaps Darius Slayton can begin making his presence felt this Sunday.
Pass out of 13 personnel
Again, while Pierce and Dulin are out, this may be the Colts' most effective option. Mo Alie-Cox and Andrew Ogletree can both be good targets over the middle, and 13 personnel – one back, one receiver, and three tight ends – may be the best way to try to get Tyler Warren free for deeper shots.
The Colts will no doubt run most of the time with this alignment, and opponents will stack the middle to stop JT. That is when Warren can get matched with a safety and do some damage downfield.
Jalen Travis needs to shrug off the ghost of Will Anderson
Travis has been very good as a starter at right tackle. We all knew that Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter were going to be a challenge. And they were. Travis struggled, but he wasn’t exactly overmatched – at least not any more than most tackles are against Houston.
Washington has some good edge rushers, but playing against some of the league’s best should have Travis ready for a return to form.
The Colts defensive interior needs to dominate
This isn’t a fix. It is a build. The Colts' defensive revival on Sunday began up front – specifically in the middle of the line. Houston has a subpar interior offensive line, and Indy made them pay.
Washington has similar struggles, especially if right guard Sam Cosmi remains out. However, that journeyman interior just battled the Seattle Seahawks to a virtual standstill, so they will be ready for whatever DeForest Buckner et. al. throw their way. This matchup could be what ends up deciding the game.
Robbie Gould needs to field punts
Gould had two very nice returns on Sunday – one on a punt and another on a kickoff. I have been critical of his production, so he shut me up for at least a week.
However, his failure to field a punt early in the third quarter is a mistake that a dedicated punt returner simply can’t make. In a tight game, that field position can be a difference-maker.
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