The Indianapolis Colts boast one of the best offenses in the NFL so far this season. They rank first in passing yards and, more importantly, points per game. They also rank second in total yards per game. Clearly, the Colts have the ability to move the ball and score on opposing defenses.
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So far, Baltimore have taken a bend-but-don’t-break approach to their defense. They allow offenses to move the ball, but hold the opposition to field goals instead of touchdowns. The problem Baltimore face with this approach is that the Colts currently rank eighth in the league in red zone efficiency, converting 65 percent of their red zone trips into touchdowns (that figure rises to 70 percent at home). So not only can the Colts move the ball, they can punch it in the end zone too.
What’s made them most effective has been their play-action attack. Indianapolis love to line up in run-heavy sets near the goal-line and run a play-action pass from it.
This was the Colts first touchdown against the Eagles back in week two. They use two tight ends, two backs and just one receiver (known as 22 personnel). The Colts also incorporate an unbalanced line, shifting their right tackle over to the left side and using a tight end in place of the right tackle. The concept is simple, the tight end and running back will break out into the flat, while the fullback blocks the edge to give quarterback Andrew Luck time to pass.
The fullback does an excellent job taking out the edge defender, giving Luck plenty of time to deliver the pass. Eagles corner Bradley Fletcher does a good job not biting on the fake, but is left with covering both the tight end and the running back. Whichever one he chooses to cover, Luck can just throw to the other.
Fletcher takes away the tight end, but Bradshaw is wide open for the easy toss and catch for a touchdown.
Later in this game, the Colts went back to the same concept.
This time, the Colts are slightly further back, starting at the seven-yard-line. They show a slightly different look, but the concept is still the same, the fullback blocks the edge while the running back leaks out into the flat.
Just like before, the fullback does a great job slowing the rush and giving Luck time to get his throw away. Bradshaw is again wide open in the flat.
After Bradshaw catches the pass, he has an easy walk into the end zone for his second touchdown reception of the game.
The Colts aren’t just limited to using the running back though. They will leak out the fullback or a tight end just as effectively.
Here against the Jaguars, Indy again use a run-heavy personnel and formation. Tight end Dwayne Allen motions into the backfield, but leaks out the backside of the play into the flat.
As Luck fakes the hand-off, the backside defender expects Allen to attempt to block him. But Allen slips past him at the last second.
That leaves Allen wide open in the flat for another easy touchdown pass for Luck.
Against the Titans, they again used a similar concept, but changed the formation.
This time, the Colts don’t use anyone in the backfield to leak out. Instead, they fake the run to the left and use the two tight ends to the right to leak out.
Both tight ends do a good job selling the run fake by initially cutting off the backside of the play.
But they quickly break out into their routes. Tennessee knew what was coming, but couldn’t stop it. Luck has two options on the pass and dumps it off to his former Stanford team-mate Coby Fleener for the touchdown.
The Ravens defense has done a good job so far stopping teams once they enter the red zone, but the Colts offer their biggest test to date. They will have to play disciplined and avoid being deceived by these play-action concepts if they are to keep the Colts out of the end zone.
Mark is an NFL follower from across the pond. He began analyzing Redskins football for SBNation’s HogsHaven.com, before moving on to The Washington Post. He also helps with NFL Draft coverage on FanSpeak.com. Mark was born and still lives in England, often battling the time difference to watch every minute of football he can.