Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Colts' offensive struggles don't fall on Matt Ryan alone

By Armin Mesinovic | Last updated 10/25/22

The demotion of QB Matt Ryan overshadows two other major issues with the Colts: a lackluster offensive line and underwhelming running game.

"We didn't deliver," Colts head coach Frank Reich admitted when discussing some of the team's other offensive shortcomings.

Frank Reich openly admitting what we've been writing for weeks — that the Colts didn't hold up their end of the bargain with Matt Ryan, re: a great o-line and great run game. "We didn't deliver," Reich said.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 24, 2022

In seven starts, Ryan was sacked 24 times. Only the Bears and Bengals have allowed more sacks, per StatMuse. In a Week 7 loss against the Titans, offensive tackle Matt Pryor allowed five pressures, his season in a microcosm. He has allowed five sacks overall this season.

The offensive line's poor play has also contributed to the Colts' problems in the running game. A year after finishing second in the league in rushing, Indianapolis ranks 30th.

"Even though the struggles of veteran offensive linemen like Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly have been surprising, the Colts also took a passive approach to filling key spots at left tackle and right guard. The result: disaster. The Colts have started different offensive-line combinations in each of their past five games, continuing a search for the right five-man lineup. They've also tried altering their offensive approach, with more emphasis on quick throws rather than stuffed runs. In the end, nothing has worked with any consistency."

ESPN's Stephen Holder on Colts' struggles

Against the Titans, RB Jonathan Taylor had only 10 carries for 58 yards. He led the league in rushing last season with 1,811 yards.

The Colts have scored 21 or fewer points in six of seven games and have the league's third-worst scoring offense at 16.1 points per game. Only the Steelers (15.3) and Broncos (14.3) are worse.

Benching Ryan doesn't appear to be a quick fix.

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