Colts Start 2-0, Showcasing Power, Balance, and Impressive Offense
Coming from a history of rocky seasons, the Colts are stunning fans of the NFL in ways they never expected. Just from Weeks 1 and 2, we have already gotten a feel for how the season will go. In Week 1, they blew the Miami Dolphins out of the water with a final score of 33-8. In Week 2, they kept the same energy against the Denver Broncos, putting up a strong and successful fight and closing out the game with a 29-28 victory. Although it’s early in the season, statistics indicate that this isn’t a fluke and that the Colts are finally playing like a team.
The most shocking stat is the 31 points they are averaging per game. We are used to seeing that number from proven playoff teams, not for a team still trying to prove themself to others. But the yardage can back them up, averaging 445.5 yards of total offense per game. As for now, that's the second-highest in the NFL, just under the Buffalo Bills.
Our new quarterback, Daniel Jones, has been a tremendous help in the start of a new era for the Colts. Through two games, Jones has completed 71% of his passes for 588 yards. One thing about Jones is that he knows how to push the ball effectively. Meanwhile, Jonathan Taylor anchors the ground game, averaging 161.5 rushing yards per game. With a team that can pound the ball like that and still throw accurately, no team’s defense is safe.
On defense, the Colts currently hold a +4 turnover margin between Weeks 1 and 2, meaning that they have forced four more takeaways than they have given up. Turnovers happen frequently and can dramatically swing field position and momentum. For example, in last week's close game against the Denver Broncos, the extra possessions they had were the difference between winning and losing.
Although these statistics are only from 2 weeks' worth of games, this is still unheard of from the Colts. As the season progresses, the Colts will be put up against tougher competition. No one knows exactly how a game is going to go down, but from these past two games, the Colts have found out that if they control the ball with a balanced offense, make efficient passes, and steal possessions on defense, they have a much larger chance of victory. If they continue down this road of averaging 30 points per game, the chances of making it to the playoffs become more realistic. From a team that has spent over a decade in the doghouse, this start to the season feels like their redemption arc.
What’s your take on the Colts’ hot start to the season? Do you see them keeping the momentum rolling, or do you bet that they’ll cool off once they’re up against better competition? Comment below with what you think will be the real test of their newfound success.