Coming off of their worst offensive performance of the season against Minnesota, the Indianapolis Colts running game has to find a way to get going this week versus Buffalo.
In several critical offensive categories last week, the Colts had what was statistically their worst showing of the season. Not helping matters was a stagnant running game.
Against what has been a very stingy Vikings’ run defense this season, Jonathan Taylor would total just 48 yards on 13 carries and the team averaged only 3.6 yards per rush.
“I think it starts upfront with fundamental, details, making sure we are on our assignments, alignments,” Shane Steichen said on Wednesday via 107.5 The Fan. “We have to be physical up front. That’s where it starts. And obviously looking at what they are playing defense from a front standpoint, what can get us going? Obviously we want to create the explosiveness but even the 4 or 5-yard runs staying efficient in the run game is going to help.”
The run game certainly wasn’t the only issue that the Colts had on Sunday, but struggles in this part of the game have a negative trickle-down effect to the passing game.
This creates long down-and-distance scenarios, putting what is already a struggling Colts’ passing game in predictable situations, which they just aren’t consistent enough to overcome on a regular basis.
On the flip side, staying ahead of the sticks, can open up opportunities in the passing game, specifically off play-action, along with forcing the defense to spread out and defend both the run and the pass.
Awaiting Taylor and the Colts’ rushing offense this week is a Bills team that has given up some yards on the ground this season. They will enter Week 10 ranked 26th in yards per rush allowed.
