Indianapolis’ offensive line sets the tone and paves the way for its strong running game, averaging 6.3 yards per play and 5.4 yards per rush, both third-best in the league, respectively.
The Indianapolis Colts’ offense has not looked as advertised to start the season, but must lean on the NFL’s highest-paid o-line to sustain drives against its biggest test.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor collected his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance for the first time since the final two weeks of his First-Team All-Pro campaign in 2021. Indy’s star workhorse ran for 110 rushing yards on 23 carries in Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears, highlighted by his longest run of the season with a 29-yard touchdown. Taylor passed Marshall Faulk (42) for the fourth-most rushing TDs in franchise history and has reached the end zone in eight of his last nine games.
Threading the needle.
#PITvsIND – 9/29 on CBS pic.twitter.com/3eh39HPjNe
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 23, 2024
The 25-year-old tailback works through his run reads with phenomenal vision and has the patience, plus the acceleration, to decide when to make his cuts. Taylor leads the NFL with six designed runs that gain at least 15 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. Taylor has gashed opponents with eight runs of 10-plus yards, trailing Eagles’ Saquon Barkley and 49ers’ Jordan Mason for the most big run plays in the league. His 16 first downs are tied for third-most in the league through Week 3.
“…We can be special and I think you guys saw here today that we can play a complete team game.”
– @Colts RB Jonathan Taylor to @AJRoss_TV pic.twitter.com/g0hDr9aHLk
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 22, 2024
Indianapolis’ offensive line sets the tone and paves the way for its strong running game, averaging 6.3 yards per play and 5.4 yards per rush, both third-best in the league, respectively. Colts perennial All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson is PFF’s highest-graded pass blocker (90.1 pass block grade) and has not allowed a single pressure this season. Colts head coach Shane Steichen emphasized running the power sweep with Nelson pulling as the lead blocker so Taylor can race around the edge past the second level of defenders. Nelson’s 88.5 PFF run block grade on zone runs and 81% run block win rate ranks third among all guards.
Nelson creating massive lanes and daylight on the move #followQ pic.twitter.com/7jqenuBteG
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 23, 2024
Indianapolis (1-2) has struggled to sustain drives in its first three outings and ranks dead last in time of possession. In three hours of football, the Colts held possession for just 1 hour, 4 minutes and 48 seconds. The Steelers (3-0) have limited opponents to an astounding 26 points through three games, 8.7 points per game, which is the lowest in the NFL. Pittsburgh allows the fewest total yards (229.7), first downs (12.7) and third down conversions (21.88%) per game. The Steel Curtain performs even better In the red zone, as opponents have scored on just 16.7% of red zone opportunities, the lowest percentage in football.
The Colts will face the unbeaten Steelers for the third consecutive season on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday QB Justin Fields should prepare to be the Week 4 starter, while Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury. Indianapolis is built to win low-scoring affairs and stacking consecutive victories on Sunday would help the Colts finish September on a positive note before preparing to face the dregs of the AFC South in the winless Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) and Tennessee Titans (0-3).
