The Indianapolis Colts are 5-1, in first place in the AFC South, and have a favorable schedule the rest of the season. Not making the playoffs after such a start would be inexcusable. Potentially, only one thing holds the team back: The defense.
Some of the issues are injury-related. The cornerback group has been a mess since training camp because of how many players have been hurt. While Lou Anarumo is not the best defense coordinator, his scheme has been affected by the lack of talent he's been able to put on the field.
Top cornerback Charvarius Ward has suffered two concussions already this season and missed some time. He was unexpectedly forced to miss Week 6 as he suffered one of his concussions in pregame warmups. The team also lost backup quarterback Anthony Richardson in pregame warmups, too, because of an eye injury.
Zaire Franklin says all the right words before the Indianapolis Colts' Week 6 victory
It was logically upsetting to the team, more so from a human point of view, from being a football player. Pregame warmup injuries are exceedingly rare, but two is nearly impossible. This is especially true because the injuries were so dire (Richardson broke an orbital bone).
The team needed a reset. Head coach Shane Steichen addressed the team for a second time ahead of the game, and he also let the team leaders do the same. Perhaps no player is more of a true Colts leader than linebacker Zaire Franklin. He's been great on the field, but even better off it.
Franklin struggled during the Cardinals game. He allowed four of seven pass targets to be completed for 45 yards and a touchdown. He was part of the reason that Arizona backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 320 yards. The middle of the field made for easy completions for the Cardinals.
READ MORE: Colts finally learn the Lou Anarumo lesson the Bengals already knew
Franklin received the defense's lowest grade (28.9) for Week 6 from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). But what he did before the game may have proven to be most important.
When it was his turn to speak after the team learned of Richardson and Ward's injuries, Franklin said, "We got a job to do...Anthony, we’re praying for Anthony. Mooney, we’re praying for Mooney. But at the same time, we gotta lock in and take care of what we gotta take care of.’"
The NFL is a tough business, but players get paid a lot of money to play a game. No one wants anyone to get hurt, of course, but overcoming injuries is part of the game for a team. Ward's loss was huge for the Indianapolis Colts, but making sure the team was mentally right to play was needed. Zaire Franklin helped make sure that happened.