Indianapolis Colts: Defense Comes Up Big in Making Adjustments

Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers may have been the coming out party for this Indianapolis Colts defense. Many people outside of myself didn’t get them much of a shot against a very good Packers offense. After all, why would they? The Colts had many injuries with two corners and Pat Angerer out. They also had a hobbled Dwight Freeney who wasn’t supposed to make much of an impact.

The other thing that’s hampered this new look Colts defense was the play of the secondary. I’ve been saying all season how disappointed I was with Davis’ ability or lack there of playing press coverage. He was just another Jacob Lacey playing 10+ yards off the line and getting beat too much. If his replacement was supposed to be worse how were the Colts supposed to get a pass rush when they’re getting beat off the line on slant routes. I pleaded for this Colts team to fix that and get to Aaron Rodgers who was sacked a league high 16 times entering the game. I said on Friday that the Colts will win if they bring tons of pressure and play tight press coverage on the outside.

Low and behold the actually listened.

This Colts team played lights out for 60 minutes yesterday and I couldn’t have been more pleased. They allowed three touchdowns to Rodgers, but he only threw for 243 yards. He came in with the highest completion percentage and the Colts held him to only 56 percent. They also got a huge interception on the first series after halftime when Jerraud Powers playing tight man coverage picked off Rodgers and gave the Colts great field position.

From that moment on out, this Colts defense played like their hair was on fire. They didn’t give up any points until Rodgers hit James Jones to give the Packers a lead late, but didn’t allow the Packers to convert the two-point conversion. That mixed in with Andrew Luck growing up in front of our eyes was the deciding factor in the Colts win.

Anytime you hold an opponent to six total points in a half you’re doing something right. When you only allow six to a team of Green Bay’s caliber and you’re pretty good. I thought Cassius Vaughn outplayed what Davis has done all year and would honestly like to see him start from here on out. He played phenomenal.

Overall, this win was huge for this franchise and if the defense can play like this every week then the Colts are a playoff team earlier than expected.