Colts’ biggest weakness has chance to show signs of life in favorable matchup
The Indianapolis Colts are still searching for their first win of the season as they host the Chicago Bears in Week 3.Â
The rematch of Super Bowl XLI is a big game for both sides. The Colts are looking to avoid the dreaded 0-3 start while rookie Caleb Williams and the Bears are looking to bounce back after a loss to the Houston Texans in prime time.
One of the biggest concerns for the Colts at this early point in the season is the major struggles with the run defense.
How bad is the Colts’ run defense?It’s no secret that the Indy rush defense has been awful to start this season. Per Next Gen Stats, the Colts have allowed the most rushing yards (474) and the most rushing plays resulting in five or more rushing yards over expected (12).
That is also the most rushing yards allowed by a team in the first two games of a season since the 1978 Baltimore Colts.
On top of that, the Colts rank 10th-worst in EPA per rush (-0.09) and eighth-worst in yards before contact per attempt (1.78), per Next Gen Stats.
The bad news for Indianapolis is that they will have to turn things around without their best defensive player. DeForest Buckner was placed on injured reserve this week so he will not only be out this Sunday but for at least their next four games.
It’s also likely the Colts will be without rookie Laiatu Latu, who has not practiced entering Friday due to a hip injury.
A favorable matchup to exploitThe good news is that this is a weakness versus weakness matchup for the Colts. The Bears average 77.5 rushing yards per game (fifth-lowest), 3.5 rushing yards per play (fourth-lowest), and have a 25% team stuffed rate (third-highest).
Per Next Gen Stats, the Bears rank eighth-worst in rushing yards over expected per attempt (-0.7) and 10th-worst in runs of at least 10 yards (five).
Gus Bradley’s seat is already heating up three weeks into the season and if his unit can’t get the job done against a Chicago rushing attack that has struggled to start the season, you wonder how much longer he will stay in it through the season.Â
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