If the Indianapolis Colts are going to find any sort of way to contain the Detroit offense, it starts with the defensive front.
The Lions will enter Sunday’s game as the highest-scoring offense in football, averaging over 33 points per game. Whether on the ground with their dynamic running back duo or through the air, this unit has been incredibly difficult to slow down.
Pressure or no pressure, Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff has been extremely efficient this season, but if the Colts are going to have a of chance of limiting this passing game, they have to find a way to generate pressure. If they can’t, like he’s done to so many other teams, Goff can pick defenses apart.
From a clean pocket, Goff is completing almost 80 percent of his passes–a ridiculous number–at 9.5 yards per attempt with 17 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Again, even under pressure, Goff is still effective, completing 61 percent of his throws at 8.6 yards per attempt. So, pressure doesn’t even guarantee success, but that’s a better option than the alternative.
While creating pressure is always the name of the game, it’s a must this week. However, doing so won’t come easy against a Lions’ offensive line unit that is one of the best in football.
With all that said, having the opportunity to rush the quarterback starts with slowing the run game–another tall task. Generally speaking, limiting the running backs puts the offense behind the sticks and in back-on-track situations where they have to throw the ball and the defensive front can pin its ears back.
On the flip side, success on the ground keeps the offense in short down-and-distance situations, where the entire playbook is open to them, and in the Lions’ case, they can continue to utilize a heavy dose of play-action.
With the return of DeForest Buckner a month ago, along with Gus Bradley more willing to dial up pressures, we’ve seen the Colts have more success over the last few games at creating quarterback pressures. Continuing that trend this week may require their best performance of the season.
