Where the Colts struggled against Baltimore (continued)
Interior defensive line play
While this unit didn’t have a terrible game by any means, they were unable to contain the designed runs by Lamar Jackson and the committee of running backs with Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordon. They allowed 186 yards on the ground and DeForest Buckner struggled against an offensive line that was down two starters. While I have zero concern about Buckner, I am concerned about this becoming a pattern down the road.
Offensive line play
The offensive line play has been stout this season and while they didn’t break this week, they showed some bend. While I don’t completely put the performance of Ravens’ safety Kyle Hamilton on the offensive line, I think this was their worst performance of the season. They were without center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries was out for part of the second half with cramps.
Minshew was hit seven times and sacked five times. Wesley French was OK in his first start, but he did miss some protections but some of that is on the quarterback as well. Minshew had to do a lot of quick passing but that was because of Indy’s inability to stop Kyle Hamilton. The run blocking, for the most part, was above average but the pass protection will need to be a focus next week as the Colts host Los Angeles to take on the Rams.