The Colts have proven year after year that it takes a very special kind of defense to shut down their offense. Our defense is getting better, but they aren't quite to that point yet. I think the key to winning this game is repeating last years game plan - Keep the ball out of Peyton's hands!
So how good is the Colts defense? Lets take a look:
Overall Defense:
Yards per game: 303 (11th in NFL)
Points per game: 15 (10th in NFL)
3rd down % allowed: 44.8% (25th in NFL)
Total 1st downs: 37 (21st in NFL)
Rush Defense:
Rush yards per game: 123.5 (23rd in NFL)
Rushing 1st downs: 17 (29th in NFL)
Rush yards per attempt: 4.1 (19th in NFL)
Rush TDs allowed: 1 (12th in NFL)
Pass yards per game: 179.5 (7th in NFL)
Passing 1st downs: 18 (6th in NFL)
Yards per pass attempt: 5.53 (3rd in NFL)
Percentage allowed: 66.2% (26th in NFL)
Pass TDs given up: 1 (2nd in NFL)
Opposing QB rating: 72.9 (8th in NFL)
Obviously this is only after 2 weeks so it may not mean a whole lot. BUT, I think its safe to say that the illusion that "Bob Sanders makes the Colts run D impenetrable" is a poor argument. They may be much better than the last place against the run they were last year, but they are very vulnerable. I'd gladly take a 4.1 yards per carry average they are giving up.
So how good is the Colts defense? Lets take a look:
Overall Defense:
Yards per game: 303 (11th in NFL)
Points per game: 15 (10th in NFL)
3rd down % allowed: 44.8% (25th in NFL)
Total 1st downs: 37 (21st in NFL)
Rush Defense:
Rush yards per game: 123.5 (23rd in NFL)
Rushing 1st downs: 17 (29th in NFL)
Rush yards per attempt: 4.1 (19th in NFL)
Rush TDs allowed: 1 (12th in NFL)
Pass yards per game: 179.5 (7th in NFL)
Passing 1st downs: 18 (6th in NFL)
Yards per pass attempt: 5.53 (3rd in NFL)
Percentage allowed: 66.2% (26th in NFL)
Pass TDs given up: 1 (2nd in NFL)
Opposing QB rating: 72.9 (8th in NFL)
Obviously this is only after 2 weeks so it may not mean a whole lot. BUT, I think its safe to say that the illusion that "Bob Sanders makes the Colts run D impenetrable" is a poor argument. They may be much better than the last place against the run they were last year, but they are very vulnerable. I'd gladly take a 4.1 yards per carry average they are giving up.