If the Colts are going to return to the playoffs in 2025, what are the three biggest things that must be fixed?<\/p>\n
The Indianapolis Colts<\/a> find themselves in win-now mode under the current Chris Ballard-Shane Steichen regime. After an 8-9 season in 2024, the Colts<\/a> have now missed out on the playoffs in four consecutive seasons and haven’t won the AFC South since 2014.<\/p>\n So in order for the Colts to get over that elusive playoff hump this season, what are three things that have to be fixed this season?<\/p>\n Let’s dive in.<\/p>\n Improved quarterback play<\/p>\n As we know, the play from the quarterback position last season, whether it was Anthony Richardson or Joe Flacco, was inconsistent, and made moving the ball with any sort of regularity a tall task.<\/p>\n Around the Colts’ quarterback this season is a very well put-together offense. This includes an offensive line unit that PFF believes is one of the best in the NFL. The Colts also have what ESPN called an “underrated” trio of wide receivers, along with adding Tyler Warren to the mix at tight end. Then at running back is Jonathan Taylor, who was fourth in rushing yards last season.<\/p>\n The Colts don’t exactly need elite play from the quarterback spot to be effective, but they do need stability.<\/p>\n More pressure on opposing quarterbacks<\/p>\n The name of the game is affecting the quarterback, and the Colts struggled to do that consistently last season. The Colts’ defense would finish the year ranked 22nd<\/a>\u00a0in pressure rate, they were 23rd in total pressures, 26th in sacks, and 21st in\u00a0ESPN’s<\/a>\u00a0pass rush win rate metric.<\/p>\n The defensive front is a unit that has been heavily invested in over the years, both in cap space and in draft capital, so the pieces to this puzzle should already be on the roster.<\/p>\n Helping the defensive front cause more chaos should be Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme, which will be more aggressive and disguise-heavy, which should buy the defensive line additional time to get home, a luxury they didn’t often have in 2024 with opponents picking apart the secondary with the quick game.<\/p>\n We should see more movement up front as well to help create mismatches and more blitzing to cause some confusion.<\/p>\n More plays on the ball from the secondary<\/p>\n The Colts were sixth in interceptions last season, and while turnovers are obviously important, that doesn’t necessarily mean that consistency is there either.<\/p>\n