Indianapolis Colts projected to be top ten scoring offense

admin | June 28, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Gennaro Filice of NFL.com named the Indianapolis Colts as one of the ten teams with the top offenses in 2024.

Filice’s forecast was based on which teams he expects would score the most points per game this season, and the Colts ranked No. 10 on his list.

Filice’s confidence in the Colts’ offense originates from the team’s 13th-highest point total last season, with Gardner Minshew at quarterback for 85 percent of the snaps. He also mentions quarterback Jalen Hurts’ “immense growth” under Shane Steichen as offensive coordinator.

Hurts increased his pass completion rate from 60.6% to 66.5 percent between 2021 and 2022. Hurts’ average yards per pass increased from 7.2 to 7.8, as he tossed eight more touchdowns with five fewer interceptions.

Although the sample size for Anthony Richardson last season was tiny, we could see his passing game improving. He now has a full year of experience under Steichen’s quarterback-friendly approach, and consistency is typically the key to a significant improvement.

Richardson will also have a solid supporting cast. The Colts will return all five starters from an offensive line that finished in the top ten in pressure rate and yards per rush last season.

Joining Richardson in the backfield will be a healthy Jonathan Taylor, whose contract status is in order, and at receiver will be the always-dependable Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, who ranked ninth in receiving yards from the slot in 2023, and Adonai Mitchell, who adds a new dimension to the attack.

“One of my favorite picks in the entire draft was AD Mitchell going to the Colts,” stated ESPN’s Mina Kimes. “In part because of his potential as a genuine X receiver, but also because of his compatibility with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. I see them as very complementing, with Mitchell being the one who can really take the top off a defense and win downfield. Everything is lined up for Richardson.

On the other hand, Filice highlights Richardson’s injury history as a “worrying weakness” for the Colts, adding that he missed the majority of his rookie season as well as time in college and high school.

Richardson was asked about his play style during OTAs and said he doesn’t think anything needs to change, adding that he knows when to go down in specific scenarios and just has to execute it.

“I don’t think there’s any way I could have avoided what happened to me,” Richardson told NFL.com. “Just a typical tackle. I tried to brace myself for the fall, but just my shoulder performed the job. There is nothing I can do about it.

“But is it necessary to change my style of play? I don’t think I’ll change it,” Richardson added, “but being smart, understanding when to get additional yards and when to get down, I believe I know how to accomplish that. It’s just that I need to do it at the correct time, I think. I’m not sure if I’ll adjust my game, but being smarter will benefit the squad.”

The recipe for the Colts’ offense to be successful in 2024 is unquestionably present. All that remains is for this unit’s potential to be completely realized on Sundays.