Colts' O-Line Must Improve To Snap Two-Game Skid

An offensive line that's supposed to be a strength has allowed 10 sacks in three games and struggled to open holes for a run game that hasn't flourished.

If the Indianapolis Colts are going to snap a two-game losing streak at home on Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguars visit Lucas Oil Stadium, they need stronger offensive line play.

The Colts (5-4) have struggled for a variety of reasons, but the strength of this team is the O-line. But in the last three games, the Colts have allowed 10 sacks and a rushing offense that ranked as high as fourth is now down to 10th.

The Jaguars (4-5) are 14th in points allowed and 16th in total yards allowed, but the Colts just lost at home to the Dolphins (2-7), so this game takes on added significance. The Colts are one game behind the Houston Texans (6-3) in the AFC South Division, and the Jaguars are the first of three straight against division foes.

The Jaguars are tied for fifth with 30 sacks, led by rookie defensive end Josh Allen with seven and four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell at 5.5. Five different players have multiple sacks.

Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo has learned in nine seasons the definition of a loaded question. When asked Wednesday about how the O-line has played recently, he knew why that was being asked.

“We haven’t played the way we want to,” he said. “We know that. I think you know that. Yeah, we’ve got to play better.”

The obvious blueprint for opposing defenses of late has been to stack the defensive box, mix up rushes with stunts and blitzes and force the Colts to make plays in the passing game. Backup quarterback Brian Hoyer was unable to do enough with three interceptions in the 16-12 loss to the Dolphins.

Jacoby Brissett is expected to return after missing the last game with a left MCL knee sprain. While that’s important, the Colts are still banged up at wide receiver with T.Y. Hilton (calf), rookie Parris Campbell (fractured hand) and Devin Funchess (collarbone) injured. Hilton and Campbell aren’t expected to play. Funchess returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday after suffering the injury in the season opener and being placed on injured reserve. The Colts have three weeks to determine if Funchess will be brought back to the active roster.

Since Hilton was drafted in 2012, the Colts have lost all seven games without him by an average of 12.8 points. That’s why it’s even more imperative that the Colts win the battle in the trenches. They allowed only one sack against the Dolphins, but far too many pressures and free rushes on blitzes and when linemen were crossed up by stunts.

The Jaguars are sure to try both, but have proven they can get after quarterbacks by just rushing four. Brissett has handled pressure well, most notably in a home win against the Houston Texans last month, when he passed for a career-high four TDs.

But the 10 sacks allowed in the past three games is a disturbing trend for an offensive line that led the league in fewest sacks allowed last season at 18. That 2019 season total has already reached 17. Injuries aren’t an excuse, either. The offensive line is healthy.

Castonzo acknowledged the trend of defenses stacking the box.

“Yeah, you deal with that,” he said. “That happens. If you can’t get the balance going, they’re obviously going to stack it. We’ve got to be able to do whatever they give us to get yards and score points.”

He said the key is better blocking fundamentals.

Center Ryan Kelly agreed with his linemate that the Colts need to improve.

“Hasn’t been our best,” he said with a shrug. “We’ve had some bright spots here and there, but just haven’t had the efficient running-the-ball game that we want to have. It starts (Wednesday) with how we prepare.”

Kelly echoed head coach Frank Reich’s previous statement that the Colts typically play well when they practice well. After losing to the Dolphins, the Colts are understandably eager to get back on the field.

“You’ve got to win your division,” Kelly said. “We’re 2-0 in the division so far. We’ve got a big stretch coming up. Right now, we’re working on the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s it, man, 1-0 for the week. We can start stacking up after that, but they’re a good defense, so we definitely have some challenges ahead. But I love this group and this team, so it should be fun.”