The Indianapolis Colts are a team looking to take the next step in 2022, and the hope will be that a balanced offense can make the difference.
Head coach Frank Reich is entering his fifth year in charge of the Indianapolis Colts, and he is determined to take the team to the next level – even if it means limiting arguably his best weapon on the field.
Under Reich, the Colts are a combined 37-28, with three winning records and two trips to the playoffs, but they have not progressed beyond the Divisional Round and will be keen to make improvements on last season’s 9-8 record.
The team has relied heavily on running back Jonathan Taylor over the past two years, with the former Wisconsin back leading the lead in rushes (332), rushing yards (1811), and rushing touchdowns (18) while also adding 360 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the process in 2021.
The dominating performances in his second year, on the back of an 1169-yard, 11-touchdown rookie campaign, saw Taylor earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors – seeing himself come second in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
The Colts earned 27 touchdowns through the air with Carson Wentz under center last season. Still, it wasn’t enough to give them a better record and see them make it into the playoffs – despite playing in a division with weaker Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars teams.
This season, however, the Indianapolis Colts have a new face at the quarterback position and hope to strike a keen balance between him and the dynamic Taylor in their efforts to challenge for the AFC South title.
Matt Ryan, who joins the Colts on the back of a long and fruitful career with the Atlanta Falcons, is expected to be an upgrade at the most important position this season, giving the team a genuine chance of competing with the Tennessee Titans for the divisional title.
Reich himself has openly spoken about his belief that a ground-and-pound style does not usually lead to championships, and that a balanced approach to the offense is the way to go.
The Colts threw on the fifth-fewest number of plays in the league last season, and it’s clear that approach will change to compete with the ever-pass-happy NFL.
Having Ryan under center should see the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., who hauled in over 1000 yards and six touchdowns last season, and rookie receiver Alec Pierce flourish while giving the Colts more of a threat across the field.
Taylor will still be a key part of Reich’s success, and a 1000-yard season should still be well within expectations, but Reich is not aiming to lean on the 23-year-old all of the time and the passing game should see more opportunities given in hopes of securing another winning record – and a spot in the postseason.