Are The 4-1 Colts A Legitimate Threat?

Through five games, Indianapolis ranks second in the NFL in points per game. They are also fourth in total offensive yards per game, fourth in passing yards per game, and ninth in rushing yards per game. Running back Jonathan Taylor is one of the best in the league…when he is healthy. Taylor rushed for over 1800 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2021. Unfortunately, he missed 13 games over the next two seasons before racking up over 1400 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games last season. A running back like that can take over a game and make a quarterback’s job a lot easier.

It is hard to judge the Colts’ receivers based on past performance, given that it was Richardson who was passing to them for parts of the past two seasons. That said, rookie tight end Tyler Warren has looked solid through five games, leading the team with 307 receiving yards on 23 catches. Wideout Michael Pittman Jr. leads the team in receptions (26) and touchdown catches (4), and has 273 receiving yards. Pittman’s numbers have been stifled by poor quarterback play in past years, but the sixth-year pro has Pro Bowl potential. Third-year wideout Josh Downs is also a solid threat.

While Indy’s offensive line is not full of big names, the squad has been a big reason behind the team’s early success. Jones has only been sacked four times in five games. That is a luxury that the starting quarterback was rarely afforded during his years in New York. When a quarterback is not running for their life on every dropback, their numbers are bound to improve. This line has not just been excellent in the passing game, though. They have given Taylor and the Colts’ other backs consistent running lanes.

Solid Defense

Indianapolis has not just excelled on offense early in the season. The team’s defense has also played well. The Colts’ defense has allowed the third fewest points per game (17.8), and they rank fifth in interceptions (six) and eighth in sacks (14). Eleven different players have gotten at least half a sack this season, led by eighth-year defensive end Tyquan Lewis (3). Samson Ebukam, DeForest Buckner, and Lewis have provided constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year. Do not expect that to change when the competition level gets tougher later in the season.

Having that kind of pressure up front has made things easier on a secondary that has dealt with a slew of injuries. Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Mike Hilton, Armani Watts, Charvarius Ward, and others have all missed time. The secondary also unexpectedly lost four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard to a sudden retirement a week ago. Despite all that, the Colts’ secondary has made plays when it had to, including a big pick-six by Moore in Week Three against the Tennessee Titans.

Special Teams Challenge Ahead

While the Colts’ return teams have not produced any big plays yet, their punter and kicker have been everything that they could have hoped for. Rigoberto Sanchez is averaging 50.9 yards per punt. Spencer Shrader has made every extra point and is 13 for 14 on field goals, missing only a 51-yarder in Week Three. Sadly, his season is over after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his kicking leg last weekend. Indianapolis will now turn to journeyman kicker Michael Badgley. He has played for five different teams, including the Colts, but has not played in an NFL game since 2023.

End Of My Indianapolis Colts Rant

So, is Indianapolis for real? –Right now, very much so. Yes, they lost to the Los Angeles Rams, but only by a touchdown. Outside of that, they beat the three teams that they should have beaten, plus a Denver Broncos team that went on to knock off the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Can the Colts stay this good? That is the question. Most of that will depend on Jones. If he continues to play like he has through five weeks, and the team stays fairly healthy, Indy should easily be a playoff team in the AFC.

The Colts may even win their division for the first time since 2014. Jacksonville is also 4-1 right now, but they face a tougher schedule than Indianapolis the rest of the way. For being 4-1, the Jaguars’ offense has not looked great. Trevor Lawrence has turned the ball over six times (five interceptions, one lost fumble) in five games. He did come up big at the end of the Kansas Chiefs’ game on Monday night, turning a broken play into a rushing touchdown in the final minute. That said, Jacksonville was behind because Lawrence fumbled at the Chiefs’ one-yard line and threw an interception inside his own twenty earlier in the game.

The Houston Texans were the preseason favorite to win the division, but they have started 2-3 and have a much harder schedule left than the Colts and Jaguars. Quarterback CJ Stroud has looked good, but he has already lost two major weapons in Tank Dell (ACL/MCL) and Joe Mixon (foot). On defense, the Texans have yet to get a single play out of safety Jimmie Ward (off-field issues) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee).

The Titans have started 1-4, and things don’t look good for them to turn things around this season. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has struggled, and the team ranks near the bottom of the league in most offensive and defensive categories. Don’t expect them to be a threat anytime soon.

That leaves the Colts in the driver’s seat going forward. It is Jones’ time to shine. If he can play even 75% as good as he has so far for the rest of the season, the AFC South is Indy’s for the taking.