The Indianapolis Colts didn't win in Week 1. But the play of the team's offensive line should be encouraging for the fan base.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Colts offensive line as the ninth-best in the NFL during Week 1. Based on the PFF player grades, Indianapolis left guard Quenton Nelson played particularly well on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"The Colts' offensive line allowed nine pressures against the Jaguars in Week 1 after surrendering nine or fewer pressures in only four games last season," wrote PFF's Zoltan Buday. "They were one of seven units not to give up a sack in the opening week.
"Nelson is off to the start he needed in a season when he is looking to bounce back after a weaker 2022 campaign. He earned a 70.9 PFF grade against the Jaguars after earning a grade over 70.0 just four times last year."
Buday also commended center Ryan Kelly for his play in the season opener.
"Kelly allowed one pressure on 49 dropbacks, and his 80.8 pass-blocking grade was his third-highest mark since the start of the 2021 season."
It's easy to overreact to Week 1. But as Colts fans saw last year, Week 1 can oftentimes foreshadow what is to come for a team as well.
Last year, the Colts offensive line struggled in the season opener against the lowly Houston Texans. That was the start of what turned into a very disappointing season for the unit.
PFF ranked the Colts offensive line 13th in run blocking and 23rd in pass protection last season.
It didn't help that Indianapolis had the immobile Matt Ryan behind center. But regardless of who was at quarterback in 2022, the Colts couldn't protect him. Indianapolis allowed 60 sacks last season, which was second most in the NFL.
As Buday mentioned, the Colts didn't give up a sack in Week 1.
With Indianapolis' inexperience behind center and in the backfield this season, stellar offensive line play is the team's best hope for a better than expected offense in 2023.
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