It’s been a steady improvement for the Colts defense since Week 1, and they’ve have turned in two of their more impressive games these past two victories. Holding two red hot offenses in the Kansas City Chiefs to 13 points and the Houston Texans to 23, things are looking up for the defense.
One factor that has played into their recent strong play has been the return of their key starters. Jabaal Sheard returned to the lineup in Week 3, and the Colts’ run defense has improved, allowing 108 yards per game, whereas in the first three games they allowed 132 yards per game.
The Denver Broncos don’t pose as difficult of a matchup offensively compared to the Texans or Chiefs. Denver is 25th in the NFL in total offense, at just 317 yards per game. Over their last three, they have only gained 275 total yards. They don’t light up the scoreboard either—only averaging 16 points per game, good for 29th in the league.
Safe to say stress levels won’t be as high this week for the Colts defense, especially with the possible returns of Malik Hooker, Tyquan Lewis and Kenny Moore II to the defense. Let’s take a look at a few keys for the Colts’ defense:
1. Get to Flacco
The Colts’ pass rush has been somewhat of a feast or famine this year. They had multiple-sack games against the Chargers, Titans, Chiefs and Texans but were virtually nonexistent against the Raiders and Falcons.
Denver doesn’t pose a great offensive line in front of their quarterback Joe Flacco, who is known to not be very mobile. The Broncos are giving up a sack on nearly 10% of their pass plays this season, and as seen last Thursday night, they gave up nine sacks to the Chiefs.
The pass rush has been a bit more consistent especially when Sheard came back in the lineup. Even with the Colts’ best speed rusher in Kemoko Turay going down in Week 5, they were still able to generate pressure against the Texans last week. Indianapolis will have to get after Flacco to throw off the Denver offense Sunday.
2. Get off the field
I highlighted the “Colts’ 3 Offensive Keys” where one key was to convert on third down at a high rate and score touchdowns in the red zone. The Colts defense has to do the opposite on Sunday. Limit Denver to field goals, and get that offense off the field on third down. Indianapolis was able to do that last week versus Houston, holding them 2-5 touchdowns in the red zone, and 4-12 on third down.
The Broncos are at the bottom of the league in converting third downs and scoring touchdowns. Denver is 29th in the NFL in conversion percentage on third down at only 29% and is only 15% over the past three games. They also spot the leagues 26th best red-zone offense, only scoring touchdowns on 47% of their trips, and only get to the red zone about 2.7 times per game.
Indianapolis was able to hold Houston to three field goals early in the game, and it was a key to their victory. If the Colts can keep the Broncos out of the end zone they should have success on Sunday.
3. Limit Cortland Sutton
Sutton has been the Broncos number one offensive threat all season. Earlier this week, Denver traded Emmanuel Sanders so now it will be all up to Sutton to carry the pass offense the rest of the season.
When watching the Broncos’ most-recent game versus the Chiefs, and one of their prior games against the Titans, there was one constant with the Denver offense. If Sutton goes so does the offense. In every game this season Sutton has averaged at least seven targets per game, and he will now be heavily relied on.
The Colts haven’t done a great job at limiting the opposing offenses’ top threat, DeAndre Hopkins had over 100 yards and a touchdown last week, and Darren Waller of the Raiders had seven catches for 53 yards. If the Colts can limit Sutton on Sunday, they will stifle the Broncos offense.
