Build the trenches! Well, at least one side of the ball is doing well and consistently winning at the line of scrimmage for the Colts so far in the early 2024 campaign!
Per ESPN Analytics, the Indianapolis Colts offensive line is currently a Top 5 unit collectively, when taking into account their pass block rate (74%) as well as their run block rate (77%) (via Stampede Blue’s very own Noah Compton):
#Colts OL Rankings after 2 Weeks per ESPN Analytics:
Pass Block Win Rate 74% (3rd)
Run Block Win Rate 77% (1st)— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) September 17, 2024
It coincides with PFF’s team grades, as the Colts are their #1 pass blocking team (+86.2), and their #1 run blocking team (+84.4) through the first two weeks of the regular season.
Fortunately, the Colts offensive line’s collective success hasn’t translated into wins yet on the football field, as Indianapolis fell to 0-2 last week. However, there were at least some signs of encouragement despite the Colts’ surprisingly rocky start to the 2024 campaign.
Jonathan Taylor eclipsed 100 total rushing yards last week and averaged a whopping 8.6 yards per carry on 12 total carries against the Green Bay Packers last week.
Meanwhile, per NFL Next Gen Stats, Richardson has had the 3rd longest time to throw from the pocket at 3.1 seconds, trailing just the Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts and Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray so far respectively. Given the ample time to throw, Richardson has often ‘gone deep,’ for better or for worse, but the explosive play potential is clearly there.
Per PFF, Richardson has been sacked 3 times and been pressured 17 times through his first two starts of the 2024 regular season.
If you’re a Colts fan, it’s at least positive to know that at least one of the lines is consistently ‘winning in the trenches’ through the first two games.
Now, if the Colts could just get their struggling defensive line to do the same, particularly regarding their league worst run defense right now. Another test against the Bears awaits!
