Indianapolis
Colts

Shane Steichen's "pass to score, run to win" mantra echoed through the Colts' promising 7-1 start last season. This isn't revolutionary football strategy; every winning team relies on a robust run game. But for Indianapolis, it manifested in distinct ways: using the pass to set up the run, controlling possession to keep the defense fresh, and ultimately, salting away victories. Early on, it was a clear dichotomy: effective passing in the first half, dominant running in the second. Jonathan Taylor's usage supports this. In first halves, he averaged 4.0 yards per carry on 167 attempts and was a significant factor in the passing game with 9.7 yards per catch. Second halves saw fewer attempts (148) but a surge in yards per carry (5.9), likely due to large leads and sitting out fourth quarters. His receiving numbers dipped in the second half (6.5 yards per catch on 21 receptions). The strategy showed cracks when backups entered at quarterback. Taylor's yards per carry plummeted to 3.1 over the final five games. His efficiency also suffered in losses, averaging a mere 3.4 yards per carry compared to 6.4 in wins. This decline highlights how opponents zeroed in on Taylor once the passing game faltered. The "pass to set up the run" approach clearly benefited him. Digging deeper, play-calling from under center versus shotgun reveals success. Taylor thrived when the Colts operated under center, averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 157 attempts and a remarkable 10.8 yards per reception. Daniel "DJ" Jones, while less efficient in shotgun (64.7% completion vs. 68.9%), was a short-yardage threat under center, scoring five touchdowns and securing 13 first downs on 26 carries. The limited use of RPOs (Run-Pass Options) is surprising. Jonathan Taylor only saw 20 rushing attempts from RPO plays, netting just 66 yards. DJ utilized them more effectively, completing 39 of 52 passes and adding 27 rushing yards and three first downs. Given Anthony Richardson's expected proficiency in an RPO-heavy scheme, its limited implementation last year is perplexing, especially with DJ's mobility. As the Colts look ahead, Steichen must evolve. "Sneaking up" on the league won't happen again. While the offensive personnel remains largely intact, the opposition has adjusted. The Colts need to prove they can counter those adjustments. A simple, yet potentially impactful, change could be increasing plays run from under center. Only three teams—the Rams (65%), Seahawks (57%), and Lions (53%)—ran more plays under center than from shotgun last year. The Colts lagged at 29%. Prioritizing under-center formations could bolster the "run to win" philosophy. This also opens avenues for increased RPO usage, especially if Anthony Richardson or a healthy Gardner Minshew (assuming DJ's recovery) are involved. The question remains: how will Steichen adapt to the league's counter-adjustments? What offensive innovations can Colts fans expect this season?