5 key statistics that defined the Colts 2023 season

The Indianapolis Colts finished their 2023 season in disappointing fashion and now they look towards 2024 with hopes of a better outcome. There's a lot of work to do before next season, but that work can't start until we know what went right and what went wrong this year. To do that, let's take a look at the Colts' season — by the numbers.

23.3 — Points scored per game

All eyes in Indianapolis were on the offense going into the 2023 season. The second-lowest scoring team of 2022 hired a new offensive mind at head coach and drafted a new franchise quarterback with the fourth-overall pick in the draft. Despite facing a number of unexpected obstacles, Shane Steichen and the Colts did manage to turn the offense completely around. Indianapolis boasted the tenth-best scoring offense in the league and averaged more than a touchdown over their mark from last season.

Indianapolis performed particularly well against some of the best defenses in the NFL. The Colts put up nearly 26 points per game against the five top-10 scoring defenses they faced, including Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Las Vegas. Backup QB Gardner Minshew led the team in each of those games and yet the offense continued to hum along.

Given their defensive struggles — more on that in a second — the Colts’ success on offense was the biggest reason they stayed in the playoff hunt right up until the regular season finale. And that success was achieved despite significant injuries to their rookie quarterback, star running back, and offensive line. Steichen will hope that the offense continues its upward trajectory next season.