With Week 1 upon us, here are three reasons that the Colts can make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

In what is expected to be a ‘now or never’ season for the current Indianapolis Colts’ regime of Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen, we saw a much more aggressive approach this offseason. Ballard spent big in free agency, there was a lot more roster turnover than in years past, and Steichen brought in a new defensive coordinator.

With Week 1 of the regular season now upon us, let’s take a look at three reasons that the Colts can make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

The help around quarterback Daniel Jones

We still don’t know what to truly expect from Daniel Jones this season as he takes over as the Colts’ starting quarterback. However, he certainly doesn’t have to do it all on his own either.

Around Jones is a lot of talent on this Colts’ offense.

The team has what should be another stout offensive line unit. The Colts also boast a very deep wide receiver group. In fact, Indianapolis was the only team in 2024 to have three wideouts each eclipse 800 receiving yards.

Along with the individual production from the Colts’ receivers, there are a variety of skill sets within this room as well, which provides Shane Steichen with ample flexibility each week as he constructs his game plans, as he’s able to throw different looks at opponents.

Then, of course, there is Johnathan Taylor in the backfield, while the Colts also added tight end Tyler Warren in the NFL draft, who appears poised to make a quick impact–both in the run and passing games.

The Colts don’t need great play from the quarterback position. Steady play and consistency will go a long ways with the help that is around Jones.

A revamped secondary

One of the biggest issues that the Colts faced in 2024 was the play from their secondary. So to remedy that, GM Chris Ballard overhauled that unit this offseason.

At cornerback, the only returning players on the current 53-man roster from last season are Kenny Moore and Jaylon Jones. He added Charvarius Ward, who is one-year removed from an All-Pro season in 2023, as well as Xavien Howard, who’s had tremendous ball production in his career.

The Colts also traded for Mekhi Blackmon and saw the emergence of UDFA Johnathan Edwards this offseason.

Then, at safety, along with signing Ward to a big-money deal, Ballard also signed Cam Bynum, who adds a versatile, ball-hawking presence on the back end.

Improved play on the back end means more interceptions, more pass deflections, and fewer completions, which hopefully results in more possessions for the Colts offense throughout a game.

Stronger coverage also means additional time for the pass rush to get home. Last season, opponents attacked the Colts’ secondary via the quick game often, which made getting pressure very difficult.

Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme

In addition to the additions made to the defensive side of the ball that hopefully lead to improved play, Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme will play a key role as well.

On the back end, this is going to be a more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme that throws a variety of different looks at quarterbacks to keep them guessing. That confusion can help generate more ball production and incompletions.

Along the defensive front, we are going to see more movement, with defenders asked to line up across multiple gaps, which can help create advantageous matchups. The additional blitzing that we’ll see will benefit the defensive linemen as well, along with the general movement throughout the defense, leading to hesitation from the quarterback and added time to get home.

Like any defensive play caller, Anarumo has the core principles that his scheme is built upon. However, as he’s shown throughout his time as a defensive coordinator, this system is very malleable, with Anarumo quick to adjust and make tweaks based on what the matchup or in-game situations call for.