Colts’ Lack Of Rushing Attack Hurt In A Big Way

Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts fell to the New England Patriots by a final score of 42-20, and there were plenty of reasons for that loss. One of them was the defenses inability to stop rookie running back Jonas Gray, who ended up running all over them for 199 yards and four touchdowns. Another major issue for the Colts was the fact that they were unable to get any type of running game going themselves.

Andrew Luck was their leading rusher on the evening with just three carries for 15 yards, and the two running backs combined for four yards on 14 carries. Those type of numbers on the ground are simply unacceptable, and it all goes back to the offensive line and offensive coordinator.

Pep Hamilton has done a great job as the Colts’ play caller this season, but he has fallen in love with putting the ball in the air too much this year as well. Luck is a great quarterback, but in games against teams like the Patriots the Colts will need to establish a solid run game to help take the pressure off of the aerial attack. All that New England had to do against the Colts was throw everything they had against the pass, and they were able to slow the offense down in a big way.

There is no question that Indianapolis is one of the elite teams in the AFC, and they will be in contention against teams like the Denver Broncos and Patriots at the end of the season. Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson are two very talented backs that should be causing matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.

Moving forward, the Colts have to get back to what made their offense so successful during the middle of the year. They were pounding the football with both Bradshaw and Richardson and alternating them in and out of the game while still giving Luck the football on a regular basis. There aren’t many defenses that can figure out how to defend against both the thunder and lightning effect that the two running backs have while alternating.

Indianapolis saw how bad not having a rushing game can hurt them against New England, and they can’t afford to have that happen again. Even against good rushing defenses, there is absolutely no excuse for a team to not have 50 yards on the ground. At least this should be a learning experience for the Colts moving forward this season.