The Colts' Defense, 2023 Season

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. JAGUARS, 9/10)


Our boys made 9 stops overall.

They bailed out the offense near the end of the 1st half, when Jackson fumbled and the defense pushed the Jaguars out of FG-range with back-to-back losses on 2nd and 3rd downs.

They again bailed out the offense in the 2nd half when the offense was stopped on 4th down near the middle of the field, and DeForest Buckner scored a TD on a fumble return after sacking Trevor Lawrence 2 plays later.

Unfortunately, the Colts turned the ball over yet again in the 4th quarter on an INT ...... the Jaguars converted this into what turned out to be the game-clinching TD which put them up by 10 points with just over 4 minutes left to play.




Possessions: lll..... 14

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 5

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

Fumbles: llllllllllllllllllllll. 1

TO on Downs: llllllllll, 2

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

o

[JAFF]

o


(vs. JAGUARS, 9/10)


Our boys made 9 stops overall.

They bailed out the offense near the end of the 1st half, when Jackson fumbled and the defense pushed the Jaguars out of FG-range with back-to-back losses on 2nd and 3rd downs.

They again bailed out the offense in the 2nd half when the offense was stopped on 4th down near the middle of the field, and DeForest Buckner scored a TD on a fumble return after sacking Trevor Lawrence 2 plays later.

Unfortunately, the Colts turned the ball over yet again in the 4th quarter on an INT ...... the Jaguars converted this into what turned out to be the game-clinching TD which put them up by 10 points with just over 4 minutes left to play.




Possessions: lll..... 14

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 5

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

Fumbles: llllllllllllllllllllll. 1

TO on Downs: llllllllll, 2

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

FG's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll. 1

o

They also turned the ball over on downs, passing up 2 FGs

[HoosierinFL]

No wonder they were gassed in the 4th. 14 possessions is a shit ton. Secondary still needs help though.

[Colts And Orioles]

No wonder they were gassed in the 4th quarter ...... 14 possessions is a shit ton.

The secondary still needs help, though.





o


Excellent point ...... late in the 2022 season, the average number of possessions-per-game for a team in the NFL was 10.9.

22 years earlier (in 2000), the average was 11.9 ...... one full possession more than in 2022, but still 2 full possessions less than what the Jaguars had this past Sunday.


************************************


I got that information from the following article, which was written in December of 2022 (13 games into the 17-game regular season.)



NFL Games Have Never Been Closer ...... Here’s Why

(By Josh Hermsmeyer)

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/nfl-games-have-never-been-closer-heres-why/

o

[Chromeburn]

No wonder they were gassed in the 4th. 14 possessions is a shit ton. Secondary still needs help though.

There is no help coming unless Juju gets up to speed with the rest of the guys. But Lawrence made some indefensible throws in the game. I thought Baker had good coverage, but you can’t defend the perfect throw.

[ChaosTheory]

No wonder they were gassed in the 4th. 14 possessions is a shit ton. Secondary still needs help though.

Those extra possessions came in the 2nd half, too. After that damn punt in the 4th qtr (still can't get over that bounce), JAX had a 10-play drive. Then AR throws an INT 14-seconds later. Three plays later, Etienne with the backbreaker.

There is no help coming unless Juju gets up to speed with the rest of the guys. But Lawrence made some indefensible throws in the game. I thought Baker had good coverage, but you can’t defend the perfect throw.

Zay Jones' TD was ridiculous, Engram on the sideline was dirty, and the Ridley catch when Moore and Baker collided makes you toss your hands up.

[nate505]

Defense was solid. The offense couldn't keep up with them. Yeah, deja vu from last season, but now that there's hope at the QB position I'm not as irritated.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. TEXANS, 9/17)


Our boys made 5 (6) stops overall (I consider a missed 51-yard field goal attempt to be a stop ...... if the miss were from inside of 40 yards, then I would consider it to be lucky.)

The 6th and final "stop" was made after the game had already been decided, and the clock ran out.

Unlike last week when the Jaguars had 14 possessions, the Texans only had 9 possessions when it counted, and 1 additional 10th possession after the game had already been decided.




Possessions: lllllll,, 9 (10)

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllll,, 3

Fumbles: llllllllllllllllllllll 1

Missed FG: lllllllllllllll) 1

Clock Ran Out llllllll 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

o

[Spike]

No wonder they were gassed in the 4th. 14 possessions is a shit ton. Secondary still needs help though.

They need a shitload of help.

Terrible coverage against the Texans, just fucking terrible.

[ChaosTheory]

I was surprised when I looked up the TOP in the 4th. Texans finished the game with 23 more plays than us and a 35:00-25:00 TOP advantage.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. RAVENS, 9/24)


The Ravens scored a TD on their first possession of the game, and were driving deep in Colts territory on their 2nd possession, but the Ravens fumbled the ball away for a turnover ...... subsequently, what looked like might be a long afternoon for the Colts' defense wound up being a solid overall outing for the 3rd consecutive game.

The boys got 11 stops out of 14 possessions overall, including a missed 61-yard FG.




Possessions: lllllll, 14 (15)

Punts: llllllllllllllllllllllllll, 7

Fumbles: llllllllllllllllllll) 2

TO on Downs: lllllllly 1

MISSED FG: llllllllllllllll 1

Clock Ran Out llllll, 1

TD's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll. 1

o

[Dam8610]

This was an overall very good showing by the Colts defense against Lamar Jackson. Gus Bradley's use of pressure to throw Lamar off worked very well pretty frequently.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. RAMS, 10/01)


I'm going to comment before the game over, which is very rare for me for this particular thread, but ) Eugene Speed ) costing the defense a stop and 7 points right off the bat on the very first drive of the game was indefensible.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. RAMS, 10/01)


I'm going to comment before the game over, which is very rare for me for this particular thread, but ) Eugene Speed ) costing the defense a stop and 7 points right off the bat on the very first drive of the game was indefensible.

o
o


That said, I remind myself that it's a team game, and Speed is part of the team.

So any mistakes that an individual player makes ...... now matter how bone-headed and indefensible ...... comes with the overall package of that player being a part of the team.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. TITANS, 10/08)


In the loss to the Jaguars in Week 2, Jacksonville had 14 possessions ...... today against the Titans, Tennessee had 7 possessions !!! ) :eek:




Possessions: lllllllll, 7

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 1

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll. 1

TO on Downs: lllllllllll 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. TITANS, 10/08)


In the loss to the Jaguars in Week 2, Jacksonville had 14 possessions ...... today against the Titans, Tennessee had 7 possessions !!! ) :eek:




Possessions: lllllllll, 7

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 1

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll. 1

TO on Downs: lllllllllll 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

o
o



Zaire Franklin, who is on pace to shatter the all-time record of 214 tackles in a single season set by ) Hardy Nickerson ) in 1993, stops Derick Henry on a crucial 4th down at the Colts' 5-yardline in the 4th quarter of the Colts' win over the Titans on Sunday.





https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/A4olPHQyXsuWqniZHm9OPQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/indystar-the-indianapolis-star/8e054001d7babf71af122734d6ec950b

o

[YDFL Commish]

Truth be told, by almost every metric, on the season the defense has been mediocre.

3rd down pct 3rd most
4th down pct 12th most
penalty yds 11th most
pts against 11th most
rush yds pg 13th most
pass yds pg 5th most
overall ypg 4th most
turnovers 11th least

We are improving, but taken into context we have not faced any truly elite offenses yet.

[Oldcolt]

My dad used to say 'liars figure and figures lie'. This defense is the first on we have had in years that can consistently get pressure on the QB. You cannot win in the playoffs against the QBs we will face without that. It is really good to see finally. We stop the run, when healthy, when it counts. With the corner backs inexperience, and losing the only one with 'experience', I think we have done great. Those CB's have shown something and should only improve over the year. All in all we have been average but most of us would take average as a whole given how young we are in the back field. They are young and should be a much better group with 17 games under their belt. Add to that that we finally have our franchise QB (everyone seems to think this if the reaction to his being injured by the national media is any indication-they think it has buried us) things look pretty damn good for us.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Film Room: The Colts' Defense Is Scary Good


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SubLircVeuk

o

[Colts And Orioles]

My dad used to say 'liars figure and figures lie'. This defense is the first on we have had in years that can consistently get pressure on the QB. You cannot win in the playoffs against the QBs we will face without that. It is really good to see finally. We stop the run, when healthy, when it counts. With the corner backs inexperience, and losing the only one with 'experience', I think we have done great. Those CB's have shown something and should only improve over the year. All in all we have been average but most of us would take average as a whole given how young we are in the back field. They are young and should be a much better group with 17 games under their belt. Add to that that we finally have our franchise QB (everyone seems to think this if the reaction to his being injured by the national media is any indication-they think it has buried us) things look pretty damn good for us.





o


Perhaps the most impressive feet that the Colts' defense has accomplished so far in this still very-young season is when they made 2 ...... TWO ...... stops in the final 2 minutes of the 4th quarter in the loss to the Rams.

After forcing a 3-and-out to get the ball back for the Colts' offense to try ton win the game, the offense failed to get into field-goal range. They had to punt the ball back to the Rams with more than a minute still left on the clock, and they had to stop them again (which they did.)




1:56 ) Matthew Stafford pass complete short right to Tyler Higbee for 5 yards (tackle by Julian Blackmon)

1:52 ) Matthew Stafford pass complete short left to Tutu Atwell for 5 yards (tackle by Kenny Moore) Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the original play was overturned. Matthew Stafford pass incomplete short left intended for Tutu Atwell (defended by Kenny Moore)

1:48 ) Matthew Stafford pass complete short left to Tyler Higbee for 8 yards Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the original play was overturned. Matthew Stafford pass incomplete short left intended for Tyler Higbee (defended by E.J. Speed)

1:44 ) Ethan Evans punts 48 yards, returned by Isaiah McKenzie for 13 yards (tackle by Royce Freeman and Christian Rozeboom)


**********************

The Colts Offense ) 3-and-out (PUNT)


**********************


1:09 ) Matthew Stafford pass complete short left to Tutu Atwell for 5 yards (tackle by Zaire Franklin)

0:54 ) Matthew Stafford pass complete short right to Puka Nacua for 6 yards (tackle by Julius Brents)

0:41 ) Matthew Stafford pass incomplete deep left intended for Van Jefferson (defended by Dallis Flowers)

0:30 ) Matthew Stafford scrambles up the middle for 8 yards (tackle by Kenny Moore and Zaire Franklin)

0:15 ) Timeout #3 by Los Angeles Rams

0:15 ) Matthew Stafford pass incomplete short left intended for Tutu Atwell

0:11 ) Ethan Evans punts 35 yards, fair catch by Isaiah McKenzie at IND-18

o

[YDFL Commish]

My dad used to say 'liars figure and figures lie'. This defense is the first on we have had in years that can consistently get pressure on the QB. You cannot win in the playoffs against the QBs we will face without that. It is really good to see finally. We stop the run, when healthy, when it counts. With the corner backs inexperience, and losing the only one with 'experience', I think we have done great. Those CB's have shown something and should only improve over the year. All in all we have been average but most of us would take average as a whole given how young we are in the back field. They are young and should be a much better group with 17 games under their belt. Add to that that we finally have our franchise QB (everyone seems to think this if the reaction to his being injured by the national media is any indication-they think it has buried us) things look pretty damn good for us.


While I agree the individual statistics don't tell the whole story. But in their totality they give you a pretty good idea where we are at the moment. I believe we will play better against the Jags than the 1st meeting and if that's the case, we face some offenses in the coming weeks that are nothing special in Cleveland, New Orleans, Carolina and New England. The defense should be able to feast on those teams.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. JAGUARS, 10/15)



Possessions: lllllllll 12

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 4

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 4

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

o

[YDFL Commish]

In short we suck!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. BROWNS, 10/22)




Possessions: llll.... 15

Punts: llllllllllllllllllllllll,y. 5

INT's: llllllllllllllllllllllll,,y 2

TO on Downs: llllllllll. 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(OCTOBER 26th)



Why the Colts Aren’t Looking To Move Kenny Moore II Out of the Slot

(By J.J. Stankevitz)

https://www.colts.com/news/kenny-moore-ii-slot-outside-corner-juju-brents-depth-gus-bradley-defense

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. SAINTS, 10/29)


This was the defense's worst game of the season.




Possessions: lll..... 11

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

Fumbles: llllllllllllllllllllll. 1

TD's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 5

FG's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll. 1

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. PANTHERS, 11/05) )





Possessions: llllll)) 11

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllll)) 4

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 3 l 2 (Pick-6's)

TO on Downs: lllllllllll 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(NOVEMBER 6th)


Indianapolis leads the NFL with 55 tackles for a loss this season.




SOURCE: ) StampedeBlue.com

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(NOVEMBER 6th)



Kenny Moore Wasn’t the Only Colts Cornerback to Have a Good Showing in Week 9


With the Panthers primarily playing 11 personnel (one back, one tight end, three wide receivers), the Colts trotted out a cornerback trio of Moore in the slot and Jaylon Jones/Darrell Baker Jr. on the outside. Jones and Baker were targeted 13 times and allowed eight receptions for 40 yards, and they both notched a pass break-up.

Jones earned an 85.9 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, while Baker's checked in at 79.0.

For Baker in particular, Sunday's game is something on which he can build. Baker held Young to a 56.3 passer rating in coverage, and Panthers receivers averaged 4.8 yards per reception. Prior to Week 9, Baker allowed a 121.0 passer rating and 16.4 yards per reception when targeted.

We'll see where cornerback JuJu Brents is heading into Week 10 – he's missed the last two games with a quad injury – but both Jones and Baker will head to Germany coming off solid games against the Panthers.


https://www.colts.com/news/kenny-moore-bryce-young-darrell-baker-josh-downs-injury-update-panthers

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. PATRIOTS, 11/12) )



The Patriots had 9 possessions for the entire game.



Possessions: llllllll) 9

Punts: llllllllllllllllllllllllll) 4

INT's: llllllllllllllllllllllllll) 2

Missed FG: lllllllllllly) 1

FG's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 2

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. PATRIOTS, 11/12) )



The Patriots had 9 possessions for the entire game.



Possessions: llllllll) 9

Punts: llllllllllllllllllllllllll) 4

INT's: llllllllllllllllllllllllll) 2

Missed FG: lllllllllllly) 1

FG's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 2

o
o


Last week, we were missing BOTH Zaire Franklin AND Juju Brents.

This week we got Franklin back, but Brents was still out with a quadriceps injury ...... if we can get Brents back in 2 weeks on November 26th, this defense could be a formidable adversary for opposing offenses.

o

[Spike]

o


Last week, we were missing BOTH Zaire Franklin AND Juju Brents.

This week we got Franklin back, but Brents was still out with a quadriceps injury ...... if we can get Brents back in 2 weeks on November 26th, this defense could be a formidable adversary for opposing offenses.

o

We need Grover back too.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(NOVEMBER 13th)



Dayo Odeyingbo Has Silently Been a Top Defensive Linemen for the Colts All Season

(By Jaleel Grandberry)

https://horseshoeheroes.com/posts/dayo-odeyingbo-top-defensive-linemen-colts-three-sacks-patriots-01hf53m1sfh4

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o



(vs. BUCCANEERS, 11/26) )



The Buccaneers had 10 possessions for the entire game.



Possessions: lllll)l 10

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

INT's: llllllllllllllllllllllll), 1

Fumbles: llllllllllllllllllll. 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2 ) (1 of which was on a very short field)

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Surging Colts Pass Rush Is Tied for 6th in NFL in Sacks, Fueling Playoff Hopes

(By Joel A. Erickson)

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2023/11/28/colts-pass-rush-tied-for-6th-in-nfl-in-sacks-fueling-playoff-surge/71713012007/

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o



(vs. TITANS, 12/03)


Although the Colts technically had 1 turnover today, it wound up being meaningless because of the fact that they gave the ball right back to the Titans on the same play ...... nonetheless, it still counts in the final tally of possessions, albeit with an asterisk/explanation in parenthesis.

Also, I'm going to count the 2nd blocked punt as a punt, even though it was technically ruled a fumble ...... the Titans lined up to punt, and the result of the play (the fumble) was from the special teams, not the defense.



Possessions: llllll, 14

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllll) 8

Fumbles: lllllllllllllllllllll 1 ) (Given right back to the opponent on the same play)

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. BENGALS, 12/10) )





Possessions: llllll,) 11

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllll,) 4

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 1 l (Pick-6)

TD's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 2

o

[bigalbert]

Colts are the worst D in the AFC.
Points allowed is what loses football games.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Racehorse]

Not a very good showing, but not very good anywhere on the team today.

[Colts And Orioles]

Colts are the worst D in the AFC.

Points allowed is what loses football games.





o


If the Colts are the worst defense in the AFC, then the Colts' scintillating offense led by Gardner Minshew is the reason why they have 7 wins ...... if the Colts' offense wasn't constantly bailing out the horrible defense, the Colts would have a record of 2-11.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

Not a very good showing, but not very good anywhere on the team today.






o


Today was the 2nd-worst game of the season by the Colts' defense ...... the Saints game is the only one in which they were worse.

The rest of the team sucked, too.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts are tied for 3rd in the NFL with 42 sacks, and exactly half of that total (21) has been accumulated in the 4 games just prior to the Bengals fiasco (in which they had 0 sacks.)


SOURCE: ( Stephen Holder, ESPN Sportswriter



This exemplifies that the Colts' defense (for the most part) was pretty darned good in their 4-game winning streak, and pretty darned lousy in their game against the Bengals.

o

[Dam8610]

o


The Colts are tied for 3rd in the NFL with 42 sacks, and exactly half of that total (21) has been accumulated in the 4 games just prior to the Bengals fiasco (in which they had 0 sacks.)


SOURCE: ( Stephen Holder, ESPN Sportswriter



This exemplifies that the Colts' defense (for the most part) was pretty darned good in their 4-game winning streak, and pretty darned lousy in their game against the Bengals.

o

Easy to be lousy when the refs have the fix in for your opponent. Not the first time the Colts have been screwed by the refs in Cincinnati, likely won't be the last, either.

[Colts And Orioles]

Easy to be lousy when the refs have the fix in for your opponent. Not the first time the Colts have been screwed by the refs in Cincinnati, likely won't be the last, either.





o


The Colts' offense was lousy, the Colts' defense was lousy, and the Colts' special teams was lousy.

The referees didn't make Gardner Minshew throw inaccurate passes, the referees didn't make Matt Gay miss an extra-point attempt and a 38-yard field goal attempt, and the referees didn't make the Colts' defense come out for the second half as though they were playing an exhibition game ...... the Colts did that all on their own.

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


The Colts' offense was lousy, the Colts' defense was lousy, and the Colts' special teams was lousy.

The referees didn't make Gardner Minshew throw inaccurate passes, the referees didn't make Matt Gay miss an extra-point attempt and a 38-yard field goal attempt, and the referees didn't make the Colts' defense come out for the second half as though they were playing an exhibition game ...... the Colts did that all on their own.

o

Spot on. Sometimes teams just throw a clunker out there and don't have Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck to bail them out. To be fair we lost some clunkers with those 2 QB's as well.


The only call I even had a problem with was the Q holding call. He and the opponent were hand fighting and Q slapped his hands away and the guy fell to the ground. Sometimes Q gets those calls against him because he's just so dominant.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. STEELERS, 12/16)


1 of the 2 TD's that the Steelers scored today was a one-yard drive after a blocked punt ...... but at the end of the season, it will count as 7 points against the defense in the team stats.




Possessions: lll..... 10

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 4

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

Fumbles: lllllllllllllllllllllll 1

TO on Downs: llllllllll, 1

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2 ) (1 of which was a one-yard drive)

o

[Racehorse]

They got my FF team 23 points today. Puck got -3 from the Chargers' defense.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(DECEMBER 17th)


The Colts lead the NFL with at least 1 takeaway (turnover) by their defense for 19 consecutive games.

The last time that the Colts' defense failed to produce a turnover was in November of 2022, in a game against ...... the Steelers.



https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437872

o

[Dam8610]

https://horseshoeheroes.com/posts/is-it-time-for-colts-to-move-on-from-defensive-coordinator-gus-bradley-01hhjax693xv

Are people really this dumb? This team is on the verge of setting the franchise sack record with a secondary full of rookies. Talented, promising rookies, yes, but rookies nonetheless. Did anyone expect the defense to perform well statistically this year? I didn’t, especially against the pass. The way Ballard constructed the roster, it looked like he wanted to take the lumps to develop a promising secondary going forward. That has more or less happened, with the hope being that JuJu Brents can be more healthy going forward. If you fire Bradley now, you remove the system that those players fit, and you completely start the process over. Hopefully the front office is smart enough to know how stupid that idea is.

[Colts And Orioles]

Are people really this dumb ???






o


"Think of how stupid the average American is ...... and then realize that half of the people are even stupider than that."


George Carlin, 1990

o

[Discflinger]

Horseshoe Heros is just click bait anyways. I stopped falling for it last season.

[Pez]

Some love for the defense this year, I did not expect this unit to perform this well.

There was a lot of love saturday for Watt and his production, and he is certainly playing at a higher level with 16 on the year. The Steelers 4 sack leaders have 16, 6, 3, 3 sacks for a total of 28.

The colts sack leaders are Ebukam (9.5), Odeyingbo (8), Paye (7.5), and Buckner (6) for a total of 32.

The colts as a team rank 3rd in sacks, 4th in interceptions, and 3rd in forced fumbles. We've forced 20 fumbled and recovered 18 of them.

[Chromeburn]

https://horseshoeheroes.com/posts/is-it-time-for-colts-to-move-on-from-defensive-coordinator-gus-bradley-01hhjax693xv

Are people really this dumb? This team is on the verge of setting the franchise sack record with a secondary full of rookies. Talented, promising rookies, yes, but rookies nonetheless. Did anyone expect the defense to perform well statistically this year? I didn’t, especially against the pass. The way Ballard constructed the roster, it looked like he wanted to take the lumps to develop a promising secondary going forward. That has more or less happened, with the hope being that JuJu Brents can be more healthy going forward. If you fire Bradley now, you remove the system that those players fit, and you completely start the process over. Hopefully the front office is smart enough to know how stupid that idea is.

There is a fire Bradley and the defense sucks mentality going around social media and I am not sure where it is coming from.

[YDFL Commish]

There is a fire Bradley and the defense sucks mentality going around social media and I am not sure where it is coming from.

I don't want Bradley fired. But he is the anti-Steichen. If we are going to have a risk taking damn the torpedoes offense, then the defense at some point would have to show some of those same characteristics.

I believe that is what Steichen would want.

I realize this season is not ideal for that with a not very talented back end. But hopefully we have the pieces next season to see a little more aggressive.

[Dam8610]

I don't want Bradley fired. But he is the anti-Steichen. If we are going to have a risk taking damn the torpedoes offense, then the defense at some point would have to show some of those same characteristics.

I believe that is what Steichen would want.

I realize this season is not ideal for that with a not very talented back end. But hopefully we have the pieces next season to see a little more aggressive.

I think as the secondary gets more experienced, we'll see more risk taking. Bradley was the DC of the Legion of Boom defense, and when he had Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor, his defense was 1st in the league in points allowed, 5th in turnovers forced, and 4th in redzone conversion rate. Brents and Jaylon Jones have shown a lot of signs of being very good boundary CBs, and IMO Julian Blackmon should be the Colts' #2 offseason priority (right behind Michael Pittman Jr.). If this group is kept together, I think 2024 will be a very good year for the Colts defense.

[Colts And Orioles]

o



(TAKEAWAYS)


San Francisco 49ers ) 25

Jacksonville Jaguars ) 25

Indianapolis Colts ) 24

Denver Broncos ) 24

Buffalo Bills ) 24

Cincinnati Bengals ) 23

Cleveland Browns ) 23

Chicago Bears ) 23

Miami Dolphins ) 22

New Orleans Saints ) 22

New York Giants ) 22

Pittsburgh Steelers ) 21

Dallas Cowboys ) 21

Baltimore Ravens ) 21

Minnesota Vikings ) 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers ) 20

Houston Texans ) 20

New York Jets ) 19

Seattle Seahawks ) 19

Las Vegas Raiders ) 19

Los Angeles Chargers ) 17

Kansas City Chiefs ) 16

Green Bay Packers ) 16

Arizona Cardinals ) 15

Detroit Lions ) 15

Philadelphia Eagles ) 15

Atlanta Falcons ) 15

Washington Commanders ) 15

New England Patriots ) 14

Tennessee Titans ) 12

Los Angeles Rams ) 12

Carolina Panthers ) 11

o

[albany ed]

Colts and Orioles - I feel I must apologize to you for debate about the offense vs. defense in the success of the Colts this year. The defense has far out performed the offense in leading this team to a potential playoff appearance and the number of takeaways is the major reason.

You were right, I was wrong.

[Colts And Orioles]

Colts and Orioles - I feel I must apologize to you for debate about the offense vs. defense in the success of the Colts this year. The defense has far out performed the offense in leading this team to a potential playoff appearance and the number of takeaways is the major reason.

You were right, I was wrong.





o


Ed, if I had a nickel for every time that I was wrong I'd be a millionaire, and if I had a dime for every time that I was wrong I'd be a multi-millionaire.

No need for apologies ...... I'll settle for a cold bottle of Gatorade if we ever get together to watch a Colts game here in New York State.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts' defense has played 943 snaps, tying them with the Seattle Seahawks for the most in the NFL ) :eek:

That statistic might make one think that the Colts have been awful on defense ...... but statistic almost always need to be scrutinized before making presumptions.


SOURCE: ) Stephen Holder, ESPN Sportswriter

o

[apballin]

Defense has been great and with Juju they’re even better

We matchup great vs the run heavy falcons I’m excited to see this matchup

[Puck]

Anyone wanting Bradey fired will be deeply disappointed. This defense is getting better and better.

Change and we get the same style of coach (Ballards drafting style) but have to start the chemistry all over again

Roll with him

Set a record for turn overs next yr. Have ya'll looked at the team stats for turnovers and sacks?

[IndyNorm]

Overall he's obviously done a good job, but we really need to cut down on our 3rd/4th and long conversion rate. Ultimately it didn't matter, but we shouldn't be giving up 3rd & 21 and 4th & 10 conversions to shit offenses.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts' defense has played 943 snaps, tying them with the Seattle Seahawks for the most in the NFL ) :eek:

That statistic might make one think that the Colts have been awful on defense ...... but statistic almost always need to be scrutinized before making presumptions.


SOURCE: ) Stephen Holder, ESPN Sportswriter

o
o


Also, the Colts officially have given up 343 points, only 8 less than the AFC-leading Denver Broncos' 351 points ...... but that number includes points from Colts quarterbacks throwing pick-6's, the Colts' offense fumbling the ball in the end zone for an opponent's TD, and points off of "drives" after the Colts' offense turned the ball over deep in their own territory.

o

[Pez]

Overall he's obviously done a good job, but we really need to cut down on our 3rd/4th and long conversion rate. Ultimately it didn't matter, but we shouldn't be giving up 3rd & 21 and 4th & 10 conversions to shit offenses.

Agree 100%, I hope this reflects our overall youth + Bradleys second season.

I'm really jazzed about our defense, there's history making potential in each of the next 2-3 years. They are a blast to watch, can blow up a game on any snap.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. FALCONS, 12/24)



Possessions: lll..... 10

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

FG's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, 5

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(DECEMBER 17th)


The Colts lead the NFL with at least 1 takeaway (turnover) by their defense for 19 consecutive games.

The last time that the Colts' defense failed to produce a turnover was in November of 2022, in a game against ...... the Steelers.



https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401437872

o
o


The 19-game streak is over ...... the Colts' defense did not produce a turnover against the Falcons this afternoon.

o

[Dewey 5]

A defensive scheme that can match the aggressiveness of head coach Shane Steichen would be a match made in heaven. With how important the passing game has become in today's NFL, a conservative defense up front and on the back end just isn't going to cut it anymore. Bradley's style of defense is outdated, and the Colts can either move on or be left in the past with it.
https://atozsports.com/indianapolis/colts-loss-nfl-week-16-vs-falcons-time-to-fire-gus-bradley-defensive-coordinator-defense/

[apballin]

o


The 19-game streak is over ...... the Colts' defense did not produce a turnover against the Falcons this afternoon.

o

Thanks to stone hands Franklin

[Colts And Orioles]

Thanks to stone-hands Franklin.





o


Zaire Franklin leads the NFL in tackles, and he's been arguably our best player on defense this season ...... I wouldn't flippantly call him a disparaging nickname because of a bad play, or a bad game.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


his name is l Austin Ajiake, l and he is being assigned to the practice squad.



Colts’ Sign Former Broncos, Packers Linebacker

(By Drake Wally)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-roster-moves-austin-ajiake-packers-broncos

o

[apballin]

o


Zaire Franklin leads the NFL in tackles, and he's been arguably our best player on defense this season ...... I wouldn't flippantly call him a disparaging nickname because of a bad play, or a bad game.

o

Oh I love his game and what he brings but if he wants to be elite he’s gotta make plays like that period

[Colts And Orioles]

Oh I love his game and what he brings ...... but if he wants to be elite, he’s gotta make plays like that, period.





o


Peyton Manning threw a pick-6 late in the 4th quarter of a Super Bowl ....... he's as elite as they come, and I wouldn't call him a disparaging nickname because of it.

o

[apballin]

o


Peyton Manning threw a pick-6 late in the 4th quarter of a Super Bowl ....... he's as elite as they come, and I wouldn't call him a disparaging nickname because of it.

o

That’s you man… and Manning is on another planet compared to Zaire Franklin

Just because he leads the NFL in tackles he doesn’t get a pass from me on an INT that hit him directly in the chest that could’ve changed that game all the way around…

So for a better comparison how about when Quentin Coryatt dropped that pick in the AFC title game? Did you yell anything disparaging about him even though he had a lot of tackles in his career as a Colt?

I dam sure did

[Colts And Orioles]

That’s you, man …... and Manning is on another planet compared to Zaire Franklin

Just because he leads the NFL in tackles he doesn’t get a pass from me on an INT that hit him directly in the chest that could’ve changed that game all the way around…

So for a better comparison how about when Quentin Coryatt dropped that pick in the AFC title game? Did you yell anything disparaging about him even though he had a lot of tackles in his career as a Colt?

I dam sure did.





o


We're not talking about something that you said in a game thread, which is a venue for more reactionary posts. I certainly wouldn't have posted something like that on a public forum if I were talking about a player of Franklin's caliber a full day after the fact, as you did here on the main forum.

So you can stay with "Stonehands" Franklin, which you called him not in the heat of the moment, but a day after the fact, as though that is his primary function on the team ...... I'll go with Zaire Franklin, the best player on the Colts' defense who made a bad play in a regular season game.

o

[apballin]

o


We're not talking about something that you said in a game thread, which is a venue for more reactionary posts. I certainly wouldn't have posted something like that on a public forum if I were talking about a player of Franklin's caliber a full day after the fact, as you did here on the main forum.

So you can stay with "Stonehands" Franklin, which you called him not in the heat of the moment, but a day after the fact, as though that is his primary function on the team ...... I'll go with Zaire Franklin, the best player on the Colts' defense who made a bad play in a regular season game.

o

Yea I was still shitty a day later… so what

I’m also still shitty you defended a guy that tried to take Pittmans head off so it is what it is

Until that mfer holds on to an INT he’s stone hands

[Colts And Orioles]

Until that mfer holds on to an INT, he’s stone hands.





o


He dropped an INT. Based on your logic, every player in the NFL deserves a derogatory nickname, unless you can point to a player who never made a bad play in his career. I don't think that you really believe that ....... and if you do, you're one of the biggest malcontent ever to root for a football team.

o

[apballin]

o


He dropped an INT. Based on your logic, every player in the NFL deserves a derogatory nickname, unless you can point to a player who never made a bad play in his career. I don't think that you really believe that ....... and if you do, you're one of the biggest malcontent ever to root for a football team.

o

Nope I hold players to the standards they create… he said himself he considers himself the best LB in the game…. Make the play then it’s that simple

The best LB makes that play

[Colts And Orioles]

Nope I hold players to the standards they create… he said himself he considers himself the best LB in the game…. Make the play then it’s that simple

The best LB makes that play.





o


Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback in the game, and unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks in the game. He made back-to-back bad plays in his most recent game against the Raiders. Those 2 bad plays resulted in 14 Raiders points, which was the difference in the game ...... 14 points, within 7 seconds of each other. The final score of the game was 20-14, Raiders.

And according to your logic, Mahomes cannot be the best QB in the game because the best QB in the game does not make a bad play like that, let alone 2 consecutive bad plays like that.

If you want to die on this hill, fine, but you're reasoning is preposterous.

o

[apballin]

o


Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best quarterback in the game, and unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks in the game. He made back-to-back bad plays in his most recent game against the Raiders. Those 2 bad plays resulted in 14 Raiders points, which was the difference in the game ...... 14 points, within 7 seconds of each other. The final score of the game was 20-14, Raiders.

And according to your logic, Mahomes cannot be the best QB in the game because the best QB in the game does not make a bad play like that, let alone 2 consecutive bad plays like that.

If you want to die on this hill, fine, but you're reasoning is preposterous.

o

That’s not my logic at all… you’re all over the place

Mahomes resume is a little better then Franklins I’d say your trying to create shit man

Franklin hasn’t won shit but he talks big shit…. If you’re gonna talk it back it up it’s that simple and the more you achieve the more of a pass you’ll get when you fuck up

You’re a captain the team leans on you you wanna be the face of the defense… make the fuckin play I’ll die on that fuckin hill for sure

[Colts And Orioles]

That’s not my logic at all …... you’re all over the place.




o


You're exact words were ......

o




He said himself he considers himself the best LB in the game ...... the best LB makes that play.





o


All over the place, nonsense. I took exactly what you said, and I made a congruent comparison. It's not a matter of the fact that Mahomes is in a different class than Franklin overall as player, it's a matter of you "holding players to standards that they create" as you said, as the best player in the game at their position. If the best LB in the game makes that play, then the best QB in the game doesn't make back-to-back plays resulting in 14 points for the opponent, and subsequently costing his team the game. You're exact words, and your logic.

o

[apballin]

o


You're exact words were ......

o

o


All over the place, my ass. I took exactly what you said, and I made a congruent comparison. It's not a matter of the fact that Mahomes is in a different class than Franklin overall as player, it's a matter of you "holding players to standards that they create" as you said, as the best player in the game at their position. If the best LB in the game makes that play, then the best QB in the game doesn't make back-to-back plays resulting in 14 points for the opponent, and subsequently costing his team the game. You're exact words, and your logic.

o

How is comparing a Super Bowl winner to a LB that’s never won a playoff game congruent?

Not even close, you picking and choosing shit

That’s not my logic that’s shit you’re creating

My words were also the more you achieve the more you get a pass funny how you didn’t highlight that

So if Ray Lewis drops a pick in his last year… no I’m not yelling stone hands at him.

However a 6th year guy that’s never won anything and claims to be “the best” yet he has 1 career INT and one hits him in the chest… yes he’s stone hands there’s more to linebacker then just making tackles but that’s just my logic.

[Colts And Orioles]

How is comparing a Super Bowl winner to a LB that’s never won a playoff game congruent?





o


It's congruent because you brought up being the best player in the game at your position ...... not winning Super Bowls ........ not the overall resume of a player's career ....... the best player in the game at your position. That's what you said, and that's what I made the congruent comparison to. The best player at one's position doesn't drop that INT and/or doesn't make such a bad play.

o

[apballin]

o


It's congruent because you brought up being the best player in the game at your position ...... not winning Super Bowls ........ not the overall resume of a player's career ....... the best player in the game at your position. That's what you said, and that's what I made the congruent comparison to. The best player at one's position doesn't drop that INT and/or doesn't make such a bad play.

o

He said he’s the best… not me

He said that after the stop on Henry

[Colts And Orioles]

He said he’s the best …... not me

He said that.





o


Correct ...... and you quoted him, and you asserted that the best player doesn't drop that ball.

He said that he was the best, and you said that he can't be the best because of the dropped INT ...... your assertion (a dropped INT in a regular season game) is that that is what necessarily differentiates the best from all of the others.

And I'm not asserting that he necessarily is the best LB in the game, but rather that a bad play and/or a dropped INT alone doesn't determine whether or not he is. I think that he is in the top-5 in the NFL. I believe that he has more work to do to be able to make a proclamation of being the best in the NFL. It's a little conceited on his part if he did indeed say that, but I do like the confidence ...... conceited, but certainly caring and into the game(s).

o

[apballin]

o


Correct ...... and you quoted him, and you asserted that the best player doesn't drop that ball.

He said that he was the best, and you said that he can't be the best because of the dropped INT ...... your assertion (a dropped INT in a regular season game) is that that is what necessarily differentiates the best from all of the others.

And I'm not asserting that he necessarily is the best LB in the game, but rather that a bad play and/or a dropped INT alone doesn't determine whether or not he is. I think that he is in the top-5 in the NFL. I believe that he has more work to do to be able to make a proclamation of being the best in the NFL. It's a little conceited on his part if he did indeed say that, but I do like the confidence ...... conceited, but certainly caring and into the game(s).

o

Like I said man I love his game and what he brings and I agree he’s top 5 for sure

But that play was pivotal in that game and as far as I’m concerned that’s were the best seperate themselves from the rest. I hope he does figure out coverage because that would only take the defense to another level but cmon 1 pick in 6 years

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. RAIDERS, 12/31)



Possessions: lllllll) 9

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllll) 5

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 2

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. TEXANS, 1/06)



Possessions: llllll, 11

Punts: lllllllllllllllllllllllllt 6

Safety: llllllllllllllllllllll) 1 ) (2 Points)

TD's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllll) 3

FG's: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1

o

[Racehorse]

IMHO, I really only saw three atrocious plays yesterday. The first play on defense, the 32 yard screen to Collins near the end, and the TD pass to #47. The rest seemed to be the other team just making a play when they needed it. A lot of the plays could have gone either way.

I should add a fourth one, where Baker missed a tackle, but that may have been the Collins 32 yard catch.

I guess what I am saying is that the defense kept the team in it, while Taylor was pretty much all the offense could get anything from, outside of a few critical catches by Pittman. I still like Minshew, but as a backup, not as a starter for more than two or three games a year.

[IndyNorm]

IMHO, I really only saw three atrocious plays yesterday. The first play on defense, the 32 yard screen to Collins near the end, and the TD pass to #47. The rest seemed to be the other team just making a play when they needed it. A lot of the plays could have gone either way.

I should add a fourth one, where Baker missed a tackle, but that may have been the Collins 32 yard catch.

I guess what I am saying is that the defense kept the team in it, while Taylor was pretty much all the offense could get anything from, outside of a few critical catches by Pittman. I still like Minshew, but as a backup, not as a starter for more than two or three games a year.

Those were different plays. Baker's big whiff was on Schultz which negated the Harrison sack the play before. I think the screen to Cross that you're talking about was on Hou's 2nd TD drive and in the 1st half.

[Colts And Orioles]

IMHO, I really only saw three atrocious plays yesterday. The first play on defense, the 32 yard screen to Collins near the end, and the TD pass to #47. The rest seemed to be the other team just making a play when they needed it. A lot of the plays could have gone either way.

I should add a fourth one, where Baker missed a tackle, but that may have been the Collins 32 yard catch.

I guess what I am saying is that the defense kept the team in it, ) while Taylor was pretty much all the offense could get anything from, outside of a few critical catches by Pittman. I still like Minshew, but as a backup, not as a starter for more than two or three games a year.





o


I agree completely ...... after the disastrous first play from scrimmage, the Colts' defense held Stroud and company to 10 points for more than 3/4 of the game prior to their final, game-winning TD drive.

One nuance that I would like to add to your post is that it wasn't just Taylor who was excellent on offense, it was the Colts' overall running game ...... Zach Moss had 6 carries for 30 yards, and even Minshew had 1 carry for 9 yards on a scramble.

o