Behind shaky offensive line play, the Indianapolis Colts running game, particularly between the tackles, has struggled to get going for a number of weeks now.
Going back to the Colts’ Week 9 matchup with Minnesota, Taylor averaged just 3.7 yards per rush in that game. The following week against Buffalo, he averaged 5.4 yards per rush on 21 carries. However, that figure is a bit inflated with a 58-yard run being mixed in. If we take that carry out of the equation, Taylor averaged 2.6 yards per attempt.
Then, versus the Jets, even with Anthony Richardson back under center, Taylor averaged 2.4 yards per carry and then only 3.2 yards per rush against Detroit this past Sunday.
At the start of the season, Taylor was one of the most productive backs in football, both in terms of total yards and efficiency, regularly generating chunk runs.
But obviously, that hasn’t been the case as of late. Of course, injuries to the offensive line haven’t helped. In recent games, the Colts have been starting three rookies with Matt Goncalves at left tackle not able to generate steady push in the run game, while right guard Dalton Tucker has been getting blown off the ball too often.
On Wednesday, when Shane Steichen was asked about Tucker continuing to start at right guard, he was non-committal.
Without a run game to lean on, there is a negative trickle-down effect to the passing game. Not being able to pick up yards on the ground puts the offense behind the sticks and in obvious passing situations. This gives the defense the advantage and puts more of the burden on Richardson and the passing game.
Oftentimes when the Colts aren’t able to sustain drives, it begins with a run that picks up very little and puts the offense in those dreaded long down-and-distance situations.
Success and consistency for the Colts offense begins with being able to move the ball in the run game, which opens up the playbook, keeping the defense off-balanced and forcing them to defend the entire field, along with the offense staying out of predictable situations.
Awaiting the Colts offense this week is a Patriots front that ranks 12th in yards per carry allowed and is 10th in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric.
The Colts can’t become one-dimensional and only rely on the passing game, but given their struggles up front, and that this is a Patriots secondary allowing a hefty 7.2 yards per pass attempt, that could be where the opportunity lies for Indianapolis’ offense this week.
