Since acquiring RB Richardson in exchange for a first round draft pick, the Colts have ironically, struggled to run the ball effectively. Since arriving in Indy, Richardson has averaged just 2.8 yards per carry on the year. This ineffective running game has resulted in the offense being one-dimensional favoring the pass. When teams know you are passing, it is not a recipe for success, especially when you have limited pass catchers to work with.
As bad as the rushing offense has been for the Colts, the defense against the run has been even worse. The Colts give up an average of 125.5 rushing yards per game this year. That puts them 26th in the league in run defense according to CBSSports.com. If you can't stop the run, it kills your entire defense and is certainly a factor for the team's struggles as of late.
A big blow for the Colts came when they lost Reggie Wayne to injury early on in the season. Luck has had to throw to players like Coby Fleener, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Lavon Brazill, and T.Y. Hilton. Losing Wayne has certainly caused their offense to take a major hit as he drew a lot of coverage, and was able to make unbelievable plays even when covered.
The Colts' secondary has also seen its fair share of injuries. Cornerback Greg Toler has missed a handful of games already this year and Vontae Davis is now hurt as well. Losing your top two cornerbacks will cause most defenses to struggle and it is clear that these injuries have caused the Colts problems defensively.
Lastly, the Colts have had major issues on the interior offensive line this year. Whether it be in pass or run blocking, the Colts have had trouble blocking up the middle. It is likely that Samson Satele playing injured is at least partially responsible for these struggles.
Get our content customized for you directly to your inbox!
About | Contact | Write for Us | Advertise | Login
© 2013 Rant Media Network, LLC & www.RantSports.com
Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties