The Indianapolis Colts head to the bye week with an 8-2 record, and smiles abound from the fanbase. Many thought this team would be a contender for the division, but few expected them to run away with it. The production and progress we have seen so far this season have been miraculous.
Have the Indianapolis Colts shown some flaws in the past weeks? Yes, but they are not glaring issues that could derail this improbable season so far. The Colts have stabilized in the quarterback position as well as the secondary. Jonathan Taylor is an MVP candidate and continues to amaze the NFL fanbase with each passing week.
As with any season, we will see both progress and warning signs as they emerge. This season is no exception, as this team still has some talking points leading into the second half of the season. Let’s discuss what we have seen in areas of progress and some areas of concern.
Areas of progress from the Indianapolis Colts
Future of QB
If this season has taught us anything, it’s that Daniel Jones is the franchise quarterback this team has been waiting for. While not expected at the beginning of the season, he has secured his spot as the starter now and beyond. He may not be the MVP, but he’s playing at a high level.
If you wanted more proof of just what this franchise thinks of Daniel Jones, look no further than the Sauce Gardner trade. You do not make a trade of that magnitude and give up two first-round picks if you are in the market to draft a quarterback. The Colts have found their future in Daniel Jones, and it’s up to this franchise to continue his development and finalize a long-term deal for years to come.
Alec Pierce
We discussed his status on this team during the offseason, which was in jeopardy, not because of his body of work, but because of the money and what was lurking behind him on the depth chart. While the money is still an obstacle, the trade of Adonai Mitchell showed what the future holds for Alec Pierce in Indianapolis.
The future for him is bright. He leads the team in yards and continues to be the deep ball threat. We have seen him get some play on those horizontal short routes as well. He is becoming an all-around threat on the field and starting to earn the massive contract he will be due after this season.
Return of Mooney Ward
Of course, the majority of the fanbase was a fan of the Sauce Gardner trade. While it was great to obtain him, the best part was the thought of having both Gardner and Ward on the outside every single week. Now, pair them with Kenny Moore in the slot and both Jaylon Jones and Mekhi Blackmon to rotate, and it is now one of the best secondaries in the league.
Having both Ward and Gardner on the outside allows Lou Anarumo to scheme up new blitz schemes and bring different packages with the linebackers. It opens the playbook with this defense and forces the opposing team to account for those backs in the secondary.
While Gardner brings long-term stability to the corners, it’s Ward who brings fear and keeps the Super Bowl (yes, I said it) window open for the next two seasons.
Warning Signs from the Indianapolis Colts
Pass Protection
We can all agree that Jonathan Taylor is having an MVP-caliber season because of the run blocking of the offensive line. It’s not all great with the line, as the pass protection in the past weeks has been lacking. Two weeks ago, in Pittsburgh, we saw this offensive line get mauled at the line of scrimmage. Last week in Atlanta, it was better, but we still had some protection breakdowns.
Is this fixable? Certainly, especially with OL coach Tony Sparano Jr. leading the way. The offensive line still has a large enough veteran presence to right the ship. The bye week should provide some time to reset on the line and prepare for the gauntlet part of the schedule ahead.
Turnovers
Continuing the trend of the last two weeks, we have seen the same pattern with the offensive line and also with turnovers. Obviously, Daniel Jones has been the main culprit, but there is plenty of blame to go around. The Colts had only four turnovers in the first eight weeks of the season, but in the past two weeks, they had eight turnovers.
This also shifts the blame to the offensive line; better pass protection leads to better ball security. The Colts proved in Pittsburgh that you can stay in the game even with too many turnovers. The Colts can get away with that with less competition, but with the upcoming schedule, they will have to improve their turnover ratio.