This first year for head coach Shane Steichen hasn’t gone as he’d planned or hoped. He’s lost his starting quarterback for the season, but the Indianapolis Colts are still entertaining to watch. By contrast, last season this team was not entertaining at all.
They are the only team in the NFL to score 20 points or more in every game. This is an incredible feat when you think about it. Two teams that instantly come to mind when thinking about high-scoring offenses are Kansas City and Miami. Neither one of them has accomplished this feat.
Steichen’s first year as the head coach has gone well but has had its fair share of bumps in the road. The aforementioned season-ending injury to Richardson and then some in-game mismanagement. For example, in the game against New Orleans, the Colts only rushed the ball six times in the second half. And considering this game was still close for a bit, it’s shocking that Zack Moss and Jonathan Taylor didn’t get more rushing attempts.
Considering the league just had its first head coaching firing, halfway through the 2023 NFL season, it’s time to look at exactly how well the Colts’ first-year head coach is doing. Five teams hired new head coaches before this season, Denver, Houston, Arizona, Indianapolis, and Carolina. Of those five, three of them hired first-time head coaches, Arizona, Houston, and Indianapolis. Here’s how these teams are faring so far.
- New head coaches record: 11-27
- Rookie head coaches record: 7-16
While the records are bad, it’s not entirely uncommon or concerning. It’s very difficult to win in the NFL and when you add in a new coaching staff with new players it only adds to the overall challenge. Regardless, most of these teams, if not all of them, are heading in the right direction. But in the Colts’ case, this team is heading for much better days ahead.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2023: See where Gardner Minshew lands
The Steichen impact
As previously mentioned, Indianapolis is the only team in the NFL to score at least 20 points or more in every game this season. This is surprising when you factor in that they rank sixth in points per game at 25.6. The five teams ahead of them are Miami, Dallas, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and San Francisco.
For comparison, last season the Colts ranked 30th at 17 points per game. The almost nine-point differential is significant as it would be the difference in the outcome of two games, Cleveland and LA Rams. Not only is Indianapolis scoring points, but they have one of the top offenses in the entire league.
- 7th in overall offense
- 11th in passing offense
- 9th in rushing offense
However, for all of this positivity, there are some big negatives. The Colts have forced 11 turnovers, good enough to be tied for 14th, but have only scored 24 points off of them. Meanwhile, they have turned the ball over 13 times, good enough to be tied for the sixth most, resulting in 51 points for their opponents.
For as good as the offense has been, the defense has been equally as bad. It’s ranked 32nd in points per game allowed at 28.6. The rest of the defense is not any better. This is now the third time in Colts history that they’ve allowed three straight opponents to score at least 37 points.
- 30th in overall defense
- 26th in passing defense
- 27th in rushing defense
Now, some good things are happening for some of the horseshoe’s players. Starting with some of the players on offense first. Zack Moss, in just seven games, ranks fourth in rushing attempts (125), second in rushing yards (589) and yards per game (84.1), tied for eighth in rushing touchdowns (5), and sixth in longest rush (56).
Free agent to be Michael Pittman Jr. is currently 12th in receptions (50), 16th in yards (529), and third in longest reception (75 yards). Rookie Josh Downs is ranked third in catches (40), yards (473), and touchdowns (2) among rookie wide receivers.
As for the defensive players, Zaire Franklin is having a Pro Bowl-level season. He leads the NFL in both solo (64) and combined tackles (102). DeForest Buckner is tied for eighth in forced fumbles (2), first in fumble returns for touchdowns (1), and seventh in fumble return yards (26). Another possible free agent, Julian Blackmon, is tied for 10th in interceptions (2).
Overall, the first year under Steichen is going well, even if the overall record isn’t what he or many fans had hoped. This offseason will assuredly see more of the head coaches imprint on the roster. It’s also possible that he could make some changes to his coaching staff. It would appear that the Colts have the right man to be their head coach. But then again, former head coach Frank Reich looked to be the right man for the job after his first season as well.
Related: How will Anthony Richardson look upon returning from his shoulder injury?