I have read several stories in the past week arguing that the biggest obstacle to the Indianapolis Colts managing a deep playoff run this season is Daniel Jones’ penchant for fumbling the football. I’m not denying that his recent troubles in that particular area have been troubling, but I don’t agree that this poses the biggest threat to Indy’s post-season prospects.
Now, if I really thought that the Colts’ QB would continue fumbling at the same rate he did in the last two games – three each against Pittsburgh and Atlanta – I would indeed be very alarmed. I just don’t think he is going to do that. I feel pretty confident that Jones will get this problem under control because I have seen him do it before.
He had a terrible fumbling problem early in his career, which is why some fans are so concerned right now. But he did manage to tame it. He has not been a prolific fumbler in the last three seasons.
Other defenders must step up to offset a big hole in the Indianapolis Colts’ defense
At the same time, I have no illusions that he will not fumble again. He probably will. I just think it will not be at the same outrageously high rate. The Colts' offense in 2025 is good enough to overcome the occasional turnover.
I’m not nearly as convinced that they are good enough to overcome the loss of DeForest Buckner. Right now, his absence is Indy’s biggest obstacle to making a deep playoff run.
I’m not sure the rest of the football world recognizes how well the 10-year veteran has been playing in 2025. Buckner has been living in opponents’ backfields this season. He leads all defensive tackles in quarterback pressures and tackles-for-loss. His 20 pressures equal those of Cameron Heyward, Chris Jones, and Dexter Lawrence combined.
Why am I singling out those three? They happen to be the three 2024 first-team All-Pro tackles.
Buckner’s 42 tackles are higher than any of those 2024 All-Pros as well, and his missed tackle rate is an exceptional 4.5%, a notch behind Heyward and ahead of both Jones and Lawrence.
That’s how Buckner compares to the league’s best. Look at him next to his Colt teammates, and you can understand why his absence is so potentially devastating.
Buckner has more pressures than Laiatu Latu, the Colts’ one outstanding edge rusher this season. His pressures equal those of Grover Stewart, Neville Gallimore, and Adetomiwa Adebawore combined.
More than any other contending defense, the Colts rely on all eleven players to generate pass pressure. They are not primarily reliant on the edges alone. That puts an extra burden on the other tackles to pick up the slack in his absence.
The Colts’ remaining schedule features better offenses than those they encountered in their first ten games. Those first ten opponents have averaged 20.4 points per game this season. Indy’s remaining five opponents (they play both Houston and Jacksonville twice) are averaging 24.4 points per game.
Indy has been blowing teams out this season, so four points may not seem like all that much. But games tend to get tighter toward the end of the season and in the playoffs. The Colts’ defense will need to step up.
At least for the next several weeks, they will be doing it without arguably their best player. Gallimore has shown some solid pass-rushing skills, and Adebawore has flashed plenty of potential.
Eric Johnson will probably get extra snaps on running downs. With any luck, Buckner will make a full recovery in time to return before the season is over, but while he is out, Indy’s entire defense will be tested.