How the Colts' Run Game is Winning Between the Tackles

Entering Week 12, the Colts rank 1st in rushing yards per attempt and 4th in runs of 10 yards or more. Their ground game can sustain the offense and create big plays.

Simply put, it’s one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL.

But their ability to create big plays isn’t dependent on getting to the perimeter by design. In fact, they rank 2nd in the NFL with 18 runs of 10 yards or more between the tackles. The only team ahead of them, the Giants, have 20 (and have also played one more game).

Head coach Shane Steichen utilizes everything at his disposal to make the run game go. He leans on a variety of personnel groupings, formations, and run types. The Colts also have great blockers inside. Left guard Quenton Nelson is arguably the best in the business, and Tanor Bortolini isn’t too far behind him at center.

Perhaps most importantly, they have a back in Jonathan Taylor who has good vision and burst, which he uses to quickly get through holes or bounce it to the perimeter at a moment’s notice.

Below are some examples of how Indianapolis has been able to have so much success between the tackles through the first 11 weeks of the season.

On this first play from Week 1, look at the personnel and formation. The Colts used “13” personnel (1 RB, 3 TE’s). They also aligned in a 2x2 with two tight ends to the left and a tight end and receiver split out wide to the right. That pulled one of Miami’s linebackers out so the Dolphins could defend a potential screen with 3 over 2:

From the end zone angle, you can see what this formation did to the defense. The Dolphins had just 4 D-linemen and 2 linebackers in the box (the 7th defender nearby was a cornerback):

Miami also set their front to the run strength of the formation (the 2-tight-end side).