Or maybe it’s that the Indianapolis Colts are 7-1. Now they are looking forward to hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in a potentially season-defining road matchup this Sunday. The Colts now have the best record in the league and maybe the hottest offense in all of football. With the trade deadline looming, they’re making headlines for all the right reasons. As they succeed on the field, it raises questions about their corresponding lack of activity in the trade market.
The Colts’ offense as a whole has been an absolute juggernaut, with quarterback performances from blowing the Colts to the top of all scoring offenses. Combined with their dynamic playmaking, they can be a truly dangerous threat, always scoring in unexpected ways and always seeming to put points on the board. At the same time, the defense is a rock, sitting sixth in scoring defense at 19.3 points per game. The Colts have one of the worst third-down defenses, coming in at 30th in the entire NFL. They’re even worse in yards allowed per game too, ranking 24th.
In particular, turnovers have been a great indicator of the Colts’ success this season. And they’re tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for third-best in the entire league with 12 takeaways. Third, they punish you mercilessly for your mistakes. This useful tactic has both fortified their still-impressive record and provided a welcome relief factor for the disappointing offense.
With the trade deadline coming up, general manager Chris Ballard is in an enviable spot. In his nine seasons with the Colts, he has only done one major trade around this time of the year. So far he hasn’t had a reputation for cutthroat deals. This sudden hesitance prompts speculation as to if and when he’ll attempt to reinforce the roster ahead of the deadline.
The Colts have expressed interest in acquiring a pass rusher and a cornerback to bolster their defensive lineup. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson has frequently been mentioned as a trade target. Team sources are confident he’s not getting dealt. Much to their chagrin, the Colts have hit numerous reported dead ends in talks for available defensive reinforcements.
In their pursuit of improvement on the defensive side of the ball, injuries have decimated the secondary. Cornerback Charvarius Ward is on IR, adding to the difficult situation facing the team. This immeasurable toll has ratcheted up the urgency for the Colts to consider possible trades that could offer immediate aid.
At the front of the offense is second-year running back Jonathan Taylor, who’s nursing a sprained ankle but is still considered the NFL ‘s overall leading rusher. His performance on the field has sparked a national conversation about his candidacy for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. With Taylor proving to be the star that he is, look for him to be an absolute offensive cornerstone piece to the success of these Colts.
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