Why they aren’t taking downfield shots in the passing game
INDIANAPOLIS — The numbers don’t lie.
The Colts offense has stopped pushing the ball down the field in the passing game.
Indianapolis completed 22 passes of 20 yards or more in the first six games of the season. The Colts have completed just nine passes of 20 yards or more in the last five.
The chief reason is simple and obvious.
“You have to have enough time,” starting quarterback Matt Ryan said. “To be able to do some of the things you want to do, to push the ball down the field. We just haven’t been consistent enough throughout the year.”
Deep shots take time.
Time for the route to develop, time for the quarterback to take the drop he needs in order to get his mechanics in sync for the throw.
The Indianapolis offensive line has rarely given Ryan that kind of time this season.
The starting quarterback isn’t the only member of the Colts who’s acknowledged the reality of the Indianapolis offense this week.
“From a shots perspective, you’ve got to make sure your protection is in sync,” interim coach Jeff Saturday said.
The Colts’ new play-caller also acknowledged that his hands are tied somewhat.
Parks Frazier could dial up more deep throws down the field, but he has to take the risk into account.
Ryan and backup Sam Ehlinger have been sacked 40 times in 2022, tied with the Chicago Bears for the worst mark in the NFL so far.
“I think it’s a combination of just finding more ways to get the guys the ball in space where they can catch and run,” Frazier said. “And then obviously, when you want to push the ball down the field, you’ve got to think protection first. It’s finding ways to protect, to be able to push the ball down the field in your spots. I do believe in keeping the quarterback from getting hit as much as possible.”
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Indianapolis has tried to make up for its lack of time in the pocket by leaning on the first part of Frazier’s answer.
Of the Colts’ four completions of 20 yards or more in the last two games, three have been short to intermediate throws that the receiver turned into a bigger play.
The problem is that good, attacking secondaries like the ones in Philadelphia, New England and Denver close down on those completions quickly, and even a struggling secondary like the Titans adjusted its game plan to take it away.
Tennessee gave up six completions of 20 yards or more in the first matchup between the two teams. Three weeks later, the Titans gave up only one and made two interceptions by attacking the short routes.
All of that leaves the Colts between a rock and a hard place.
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The Indianapolis offensive line hasn’t protected the passer well enough to throw the ball down the field.
But a Colts team averaging 15.7 points per game needs a spark, and the lack of downfield throws is limiting the impact Indianapolis could get from its emerging trio of Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell.
Pierce, in particular, loses a lot of opportunities. He’s been the Colts’ most dangerous downfield threat this season, but the fewer downfield shots Ryan takes, the fewer opportunities the rookie has to make an impact.
“We’ve got to find ways to stretch the field vertically, get some chances, create explosive plays,” Ryan said. “It becomes too difficult when every drive, you’re not getting those chunk plays.”
The issue isn’t philosophical.
From Frank Reich before him to Jeff Saturday now, the Colts coaching staff would like to get the ball down the field.
“Any time we can take the top off, I feel good about it,” Saturday said.
The problem has been the feasibility.
“If we can take shots, let’s take them,” Saturday said. “I’m all about trying to attack wherever we can, wherever is going to make the most sense.”
The Colts haven’t protected it well enough to make the deep shot make sense.
