We're two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and all eyes are on the Colts' run defense. They know it.
In the first two games of the season, the Colts have allowed a total of 474 rushing yards on 93 attempts, for an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2, they allowed 164 rushing yards in the first quarter alone.
In 2023, the Colts' defense didn't allow more than 186 rushing yards in a single game.
Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley acknowledged a variety of issues that have impacted the team's defensive performance over the last few weeks, recognizing the lack of film the Colts had against Packers' backup quarterback Malik Willis and how the defense had "eye control issues" against Green Bay.
Bradley was clear that it starts with him as a play caller, though.
"I'm a big believer in you see what you coach," Bradley said Tuesday. "And right now, they're not playing very good, so we've got to get it right as a coach. If you're not demanding it, you're accepting it."
The statistics from Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Packers will show that once the Colts defense shifted and adjusted to the Packers run-heavy offense midway through the second quarter, they became much more successful. But the damage was already done, and the mistakes were already made. Now, the focus is on making sure those mistakes don't happen again.
"It always comes back to fundamentals and execution," Bradley said. "We've got to execute better."
"So many run attempts – of course they're going to get some yards, no excuses to our play because we have missed some run fits, and we have missed some tackles that we should have made in these last two games," linebacker E.J. Speed told media Monday. "I think Wednesday we will just knuckle down on the run and just make sure that we get it corrected so we can force some guys to some third-and-longs and make some plays on the ball."
Speed emphasized the importance of accepting that there is a problem with the way the Colts defense is performing, and that coming to terms with that is the first step to growing past it.
"It's in our face now," Speed said.
It's in everyone's faces, and they all recognize that.
"I'll take the shared responsibility," Bradley said. "They have to take shared responsibility, and together we get it done. It's a long season, and sometimes through challenging times like this, it can bring you closer together."
The Colts' next chance to come closer together will be against the Chicago Bears this weekend. The Bears will come to Lucas Oil Stadium after a 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans in which Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked seven times. The Colts will aim to bring a similar amount of pressure, something they've struggled to do in the first two weeks.
"You earn the opportunity to rush the quarterback by stopping the run," Bradley said. "And we haven't earned that opportunity yet."
