3 Things the Colts Defense Must Accomplish to Defeat the Ravens

The Indianapolis Colts defense has rocketed off to a hot start, but the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson are a different type of offensive attack.

Week 3 of the season approaches for the Indianapolis Colts as they start 2023 at a 1-1 record. After bouts against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, the Colts will travel to M&T Bank Stadium to try to stop the 2-0 Baltimore Ravens.

The offense has to perform well, but it’s the defense that has a tough task, too. Given that the Colts are playing at a high level on this side of the ball, they’ll need to play sharper than ever to come out with a win.

Here are three aspirations for the defense to live up to in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon.

#1.) Contain Lamar Jackson

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This may seem too obvious and vanilla, but that’s because it’s true. The heart and soul of this offense is the dynamic QB Lamar Jackson, and keeping him contained is the highest priority.

Through two games, he’s already on fire with 41/55 completions (74.5%-current career high), 406 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

What sticks out is the blistering 74.5% completion. This currently ranks second in the NFL to only Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. This is bad news for any defense, given Jackson’s running ability paired with his amped accuracy.

Jackson has so many ways of hurting you. The solution? Contain the edges rather than go for an outright pass rush. This can force Jackson to bail into the ends who are expecting him and will make the sack if they can get off their blocks from the offensive tackles. While Jackson’s accuracy is solid right now from the pocket, it’s also highly important to keep him from running up the middle into open space.

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It’s impossible to pass-rush Jackson like a normal QB. Even the aforementioned Allen isn’t the threat Jackson is, yet he’s mobile. DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart will be the most important factor in disrupting Jackson’s accurate start. Also, the pass coverage must improve to prevent Jackson from pushing 80% completion this Sunday.

Speaking of the secondary.

#2.) Cornerbacks/Safeties Must Show Up

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The Ravens boast quite the bundle of pass-catchers. Below are the notable numbers from the biggest threats through two games.

• WR Zay Flowers - 13 receptions for 140 receiving yards
• WR Odell Beckham Jr. - five receptions for 66 receiving yards
• TE Mark Andrews (1 game played) - five receptions for 45 receiving yards and a touchdown

This trio of receivers and tight end makes life hard for any secondary. But, given the struggles of Darrell Baker Jr., Dallis Flowers, and Rodney Thomas II through the first two contests, it could be a bigger issue when factoring in the Colts.

What will be important is keeping Jackson in the pocket from the defensive front so that he doesn’t extend plays, but also, it’s on the secondary to accommodate the pass rush by covering better if Jackson does escape the pocket.

Overall, the Colts are 29th in the league in pass coverage grade (56.0) per Pro Football Focus, which isn’t good at all. To top it off, Baker is sitting at a rough 29.9, which is the lowest on the team by a large margin, with Thomas cemented at 51.5, second-to-last.

While cornerback Kenny Moore II and safety Julian Blackmon have shown out and played well, their secondary counterparts need to work more efficiently as a unit. If they can’t get in sync, look for this receiving attack from the Ravens to potentially have a huge outing at home.

#3.) Shaq Leonard Needs a Big Game

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This isn’t the biggest “need” per se, but linebacker and defensive captain Shaq Leonard hasn’t had a huge game upon his long-awaited return, yet.

With the Ravens being the most dynamic offense the Colts could face this year, Leonard will need to have a game that truly announces that he’s returned to the field.

Currently, Leonard has 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, a 72.1 run defense grade, and a 70.9 tackle grade (leads Colts linebackers). These aren’t bad numbers at all through two games after his nerve injury, but “The Maniac” wants to contribute more to the linebacking corps.

It’s going to also be huge for E.J. Speed and Zaire Franklin to continue their surgical efficiency. But, if the former All-Pro Leonard can have his best game of 2023 so far against the Ravens offense, it could help Indianapolis pull off a big upset on the road while showing the NFL that Leonard is back and ready to rock at the highest level possible. 

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