The Indianapolis Colts offense will enter Sunday’s game against Tennessee as one of the best units in football at creating explosive plays. On the other side of the football is a Titans defense that’s been one of the best at limiting the big play.
So something has to give on this coming Sunday.
The big play, oftentimes which has come through the air, has been the catalyst behind a lot of Colts’ touchdowns this season.
An explosive play is a run of 10-plus yards or a pass of 20-plus yards. Indianapolis will enter Week 6 having generated 37 total explosive plays, which is the third-most in football. Of those 37 plays, 18 have come on the ground and 19 through the air.
In terms of yards allowed, the Titans have been one of the more stingy defenses in football. The 4.2 yards per carry they are giving up ranks 10th and the 5.0 yards per pass attempt ranks second.
By explosive plays, the Titans have given up only 19 of them–10 in the run game and nine in the pass game–the fifth-fewest through five games. Even accounting for the Titans’ bye week, the 4.8 explosive plays per game ranks ninth.
Success in the run game will be one important way for the Colts to open up downfield passing opportunities. And success doesn’t have to be steady rushes of 10 or more yards, but a consistent dose of 4-to-5 yard rushes can force a defense to play with heavier boxes, thus opening up the passing game.
Also important–and something that hasn’t always come easy for the Colts this season–is the ability to move the chains through the short to intermediate passing game. While generating big plays is great, that’s also a very tough way to live in the NFL if that’s an offense’s primary way of moving the football.
As we’ve seen at times, becoming too big play reliant leads to short possessions on offense and more opportunities for the opponent.
As always, there is a balance that will have to be struck by Shane Steichen and the offense. Just because the Titans have been good at limiting big plays, doesn’t mean the Colts shouldn’t try to push the ball downfield.
However, against this defense, it’s going to take a well-rounded approach from Indianapolis with them able to move the ball in a variety of ways if they’re going to find consistent success.