If the Indianapolis Colts are going to slow the Houston Texans’ passing game, a good start to that attempt actually begins with containing the run.
When an offense struggles to pick up yards on the ground, they will find themselves in long down-and-distance situations–or predictable passing downs.
When facing a second or third-and-long, the defensive front is able to really pin its ears back and get after the quarterback. This, of course, is very good news for the Colts’ pass rush.
The secondary also often has an advantage as well. For one, and to state the obvious, it’s more difficult to pick up a first down in that scenario. But on top of that, there are only so many routes that can be run on long down-and-distances, enhancing the predictability component.
However, on the flip side, an offense that can move the ball on the ground puts themselves in short down-and-distances where the entire playbook is now open to them. This forces the defense to defend both the run and the pass, along with the entire field, which creates more space for the offense to operate in and more passing game opportunities.
The state of the Colts run defense a season ago was very much determined by whether or not Grover Stewart was on the field or not. According to ESPN, in the Colts’ first six games of 2023 with Stewart, they gave up only 3.7 yards per rush and 2.24 yards after contact.
But over the next six games without him, the Colts’ defense surrendered 4.9 yards per attempt and 3.14 yards after contact.
To bolster the team’s run defense depth in the offseason, one of the few outside free agent additions made by the Colts was signing Raekwon Davis. A step forward in Year 2 for Adetomiwa Adebawore and Taven Bryan with more pass rush opportunities will hopefully contribute to improved play as well.
Over the offseason, the Texans would bolster their backfield by acquiring Joe Mixon from Cincinnati. Last season, Mixon rushed for 1,034 yards at 4.0 yards per attempt.
The Texans as an offense in 2023 would rank 29th in yards per rush attempt with just 3.7.
The Houston passing game, which now includes Stefon Diggs alongside of Nico Collins and Tank Dell will provide an immediate test for the Colts’ secondary. But a big help for that unknown unit can come from the trenches in the run game.
