Indianapolis Colts: Can Marlon Mack build off first 100-yard game?

The Indianapolis Colts got something that’s been rare for them in recent years — a 100-yard game from a running back. Can Marlon Mack build off last week?

The Indianapolis Colts hadn’t had someone rush for 100 yards in a game all season heading into week seven. That is, until Marlon Mack ran all over the Buffalo Bills — picking up 126 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries (6.6 yards per tote).

Now, you could be cynical and say this was against the Bills and it won’t be repeated. That’s pretty fair as Buffalo’s run defense isn’t exactly elite. They allow 110.7 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per attempt. Both put them right in the middle of the league. On Sunday, they allowed high yards per carry averages from Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines as well. So clearly this wasn’t just a Mack thing.

There are also plenty of reasons to believe this was a stepping stone and more is to come however. For starters, this is the second straight massive game for Mack when it comes to yards per carry. He ran the ball 12 times for 89 yards (7.4 yards per carry) in the week prior. There’s clearly something clicking for him at the moment.

Then there’s the fact that he also had two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown on Sunday as well. He might not be as threatening as Hines in the passing game but the fact that he can be a weapon is huge. The offense is still going to be mainly run through Andrew Luck — so finding different ways to contribute as a running back is important.

Finally, there’s the Colts’ next opponent: the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are allowing 131.8 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry. Both of those rank 27th in the NFL. This is the perfect team to face coming off a game like Mack just had to keep the momentum rolling. If Mack can produce for a third straight week, it will be hard to write this off as a fluke.

The Indianapolis Colts have been without a running game for too long. Marlon Mack planted the seeds of change over the last two weeks, and there’s reason to believe he’s not done yet.