The Indianapolis Colts had a disastrous offensive showing against the Detroit Lions in Week 12, managing only 6 points and falling by an 18-point deficit. Now sitting at 5-7, it’s evident that if Anthony Richardson is to succeed, the offense around him must step up. Bleacher Report was blunt in its critique of Indy’s performance at Lucas Oil Stadium, labeling it as “putrid.”

“The offense was once again putrid. Anthony Richardson missed some throws but was also stung by turnovers and an offensive line that surrendered too many pressures. He finished 11-of-28 for 172 yards with no touchdowns. The process of rebuilding in Indianapolis continues.”

The Colts appear to lack any offensive identity following this home loss. With another lackluster performance by Jonathan Taylor behind a crumbling offensive line, head coach Shane Steichen faces the task of diagnosing the issues in the running game. Fixing this could alleviate some of the pressure on Richardson, giving the rookie quarterback a chance to clear 50% completion and operate more effectively.

Bleacher Report also identified safety as the Colts’ biggest need heading into Week 13 against the New England Patriots.

“The Colts’ needs in the secondary have been a topic all season. It’s tough to rely on them to play man coverage, but it became clear this week that they still have to mix some man coverage in there so teams can’t just find the soft spots of the zone.”

While the Colts’ secondary has been a concern throughout the season, safety play wasn’t the primary issue against the Lions. According to Pro Football Focus, Nick Cross and Julian Blackmon both ranked in the top 10 defensively with grades of 69.3 and 66.6, respectively. In coverage, they performed well, earning grades of 67.7 for Cross and 68.2 for Blackmon.

The Colts’ struggles in the secondary are more a result of injuries and inexperience, especially when facing high-powered offenses like Detroit’s. Waiver acquisition Sam Womack III, who started strong with Indianapolis, struggled in this game, finishing second to last in coverage with a 50.0 grade across 27 pass snaps.

At 5-7 and with a youthful roster, the Colts have several areas that require improvement. In a league where efficient secondary play is critical, Indianapolis may need to heed Bleacher Report’s advice and consider addressing these issues through 2025 free agency or the draft. With five games left in the 2024 NFL season, the Colts must win out to have any shot at a postseason berth.

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