Colts Defense Etched on the Wrong Side of History After Two Weeks

The Indianapolis Colts' run defense is on the edge of oblivion if they don't answer against the Bears.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs for a first down in the fourth quarter againt the Indianapolis Colts during their football game Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. / Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The blame for an 0-2 start for the Indianapolis Colts can go a number of ways, but the group that's disappointed the most is undoubtedly Indy's front seven.

For a piece of the defense that was thought to be under control entering the 2024 season, it's been completely the opposite. Joe Mixon and Josh Jacobs have run over the Colts in back-to-back morally devastating losses where the team was simply outplayed.

Through two weeks of NFL action, the Colts have allowed 474(!) yards on the ground to opposing teams -- the highest in the league by a country mile. To put it in comparison, no team has allowed as many rushing yards in the first two games of the season since the 1978 Baltimore Colts, a team that ended the season 5-11.

How big of a problem is the @Colts run defense? Well.. The Colts have allowed the most rush yards (474) through Week 2 by any team since…the 1978 Colts

— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 19, 2024

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To make matters worse, the Colts will be without two-time All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for at least four weeks due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Packers. In an already battered defense, Buckner's injury could only make things worse as Indy looks to avoid a winless September.

I can confirm, per a league source, that #Colts DT DeForest Buckner’s MRI revealed that he suffered a right high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss at Green Bay. It’s not season-ending, but he’s expected to be sidelined for multiple games.

Here’s the play again.@mchappell51 first. pic.twitter.com/AHVFTV3giW

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 17, 2024

On top of Buckner's absence, rookie defensive edge Laiatu Latu also has a chance of missing a Week 3 battle against the Chicago Bears. Latu suffered a hip injury but could be ready to go after head coach Shane Steichen refused to rule him out after Friday's practice.

Indy's front seven are injured and off to a really bad start, a combination that could prove lethal to any chance of success. The best-graded run defender on the Colts last week was safety Nick Cross (77.3), per Pro Football Focus. Cross, who also leads the league in tackles, has been a silver lining for Gus Bradley's defense but is being asked to step in too often as first-level defenders continue to miss tackles.

Best/worst #Colts run defense grades (per PFF) in Week 2:

Best

1. N. Cross (77.3)
2. G. Stewart (73.0)
3. EJ Speed (68.9)
4. S. Womack (66.7)
5. A. Adebawore (65.0)

Worst

1. Z. Franklin (35.7)
2. K. Moore II (43.3)
3. R. Davis (53.4)
4. T. Lewis (54.2)
5. T. Bryan (55.0) https://t.co/OHt0QMD5NA

— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) September 16, 2024

Looking ahead, the Colts will face off against Bears running back D'Andre Swift who has tallied only 48 total rushing yards through two weeks. Barring another catastrophic performance, Indy looks to have a more favorable matchup this Sunday.

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