The Indianapolis Colts defense has held up well over the last several weeks and is doing so against some good offenses.
A big contributor to their success in the midst of a difficult part of the schedule is their ability to generate takeaways.
Entering Week 11, the Colts’ defense has forced 17 takeaways, which is the sixth-most in football at this point in the season. Of those 17 turnovers, eight have come from interceptions and nine via forced fumbles.
Oftentimes in football, if you can win the turnover battle, you can win the game. Takeaways limit the number of opportunities that the opponent has to score, they give your own offense additional chances and frequently good field position.
Unfortunately, the Colts offense has struggled to take advantage of those added opportunities and also hasn’t done a good job of taking care of the football themselves.
Over the last two games specifically, the offense has mustered just 26 combined points and given the ball away six times. On the season, the Indianapolis offense has 17 giveaways, which is tied for the third-most in the NFL, and gives the Colts a turnover differential of zero.
Despite being 4-6, the Colts still remain only one game out of a playoff spot in the AFC. This week, the defense faces a New York Jets’ offense that has done fairly well at taking care of the football, with their 11 giveaways being the 10th fewest this season.
The defense is doing just about everything they can to keep the team in games, but the Colts still find themselves in the midst of a three game losing streak. Hopefully the return of Anthony Richardson to the starting lineup can provide the offense with a spark.
