NFL Network's RedZone Colts stat of the week: Week Seven

by BigBlueShoe on Oct 22, 2009 3:18 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 12 comments

This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL RedZone channel, a new NFL Network channel. Want to see every touchdown from every NFL game as it happens as well as live look-ins to all of Sunday's games in key situations? Then you need Comcast's NFL RedZone.

The Colts come out of their bye week basically maintaining their position in all key defensive statistics. However, as with most stats at this time of year, the numbers are often deceiving.

The NY Giants have the best statistical pass defense in football, but after watching their pass rush get next to no pressure on Saints quarterback Drew Brees, the stats would not make me comfortable if I were a Giants fan. For the Colts, their pass defense has picked up right where it left off last season (which was the best in the NFL, by the way). Last year, Indy set an NFL record, allowing only 9 6 passing TDs all season. Many laughed off that stat, saying teams just ran the ball at Indy, making it unnecessary to throw.

Such people were morons.

After five games, the Colts have allowed only two passing TDs, and one of those two was during garbage time late in the fourth quarter of Indy's blowout against the Seahawks. This means that the only meaningful passing TD the Colts have allowed in 5 games was Kurt Warner's TD to ~~Steve Breaston~~ Anquan Boldin during the Cardinals game. Indy won that game 31-10. On their current pace, the Colts will potentially tie or break their defensive passing TD record (9 6 TDs given up). While such a record is unlikely with opponents like the Patriots, Ravens, and Texans on the schedule ahead, giving up only one meaningful passing TD in 5 games shows that last season's pass defense was not a by product of bad run defense.

So, while the Giants might give up the fewest yards per game passing, the best pass defense in the league likely belongs to the Colts. The more important stats are passing TDs allowed and yards per completition. Currently, the Colts have given up the fewest passing TDs (two) are tied with the Buffalo Bills in yards per completion, giving up an average of 5.5 yards a completition. That's outstanding!

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note to self:

work on email to Budweiser about possibly sponsoring comments.

/million dollar idea right there
//would accept payment in beer… mmm beer….

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Oct 22, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

too bad

We don’t get to see Peyton challenged by the league’s best pass defense.

I wonder if seeing the league’s best pass defense in practice prepares him well for the games.

by shoein on Oct 22, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and vice-versa...

going up against Peyton in practice every week MUST help our pass D.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 22, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's no doubt about that. It does.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Oct 22, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's a bunch of things wrong with this article

First, I’m pretty sure their mark was 6 TDs, not 9.

Second, Warner’s TD was to Boldin, not Breaston.

Third, the picture reports Jennings as a safety. Of course, he plays far enough off the line of scrimmage that such a mistake is understandable :)

by slash196 on Oct 22, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You are right on all counts.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/2008.htm

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Wonder how long it would take to sing that before a game.

by Cassieper on Oct 22, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From a NE Fan....

I’d say I’m surprised by these stats.
I originally came on here today see if you guys were getting PO’d at all the hype around the other undefeated teams in the NFL. It’s kind of amazing, sort of like the Colts are boring. Boring, under the radar and better then many people would care to know.

Personally I think defensive statistics don’t matter much until the end of the season, or at least week 10 or so. It’s a bit early to be putting too much stock in any stats. Certainly shutting down the Cards in AZ is a big win, but the other 4 opponents are either at the bottom of the league in total offense, or had a QB who still can make a 30 yrd pass after 10 yrs in the league (pennington)

I’m not saying the colt defense is bad at all. I actually use them in my fantasy world every week. I’m just suggesting this stat doesn’t mean much after week 6. And depending on your total defense ranking maybe not at all.

Look forward to the annual November sweeps week game gents, should be a premier game as always.

by JonnyNYC on Oct 22, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does it mean much after 22 weeks?

The pass defense was off the charts great last year too. Part of it is the Tampa-2 system which should limit big plays, but part of it is really solid deep talent. The Colts DBs are very under-rated and the impact of Freeney and Mathis is huge in the passing game. There is little doubt that the Colts have the best pass defense in the league.

As far as being under the radar… meh… it’s kind of funny at this point. I get a kick out of all the “experts” picking the Colts to miss the playoffs every single year because: “Jacksonville is going to step up…” “Tennessee has replaced the Colts as #1…” “The Colts coaching is a disaster…” All I can do is laugh.

by invisibulman on Oct 22, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about you guys, but I like the fact that we're flying under the radar

I mean, most of us recall ‘04, ’05, ’07… there’s such a thing as too much attention, and I fully believe it has the ability to be detrimental. So, if people want to crown New Orleans and NYG in front of the Colts in their rankings, I say “More power to ’em!”.

------

"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Oct 22, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

After Sunday, there's no way the Giants are above the Colts.

I don’t mind all the hype behind the Saints, they deserve it. Plus it’s the NFC, so they can’t keep us out of the SuperBowl. Wait till Sunday, the fireworks will begin…..

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Oct 22, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will be interesting

to see how the Giants far against another solid passing attack.
I think the Cards are playing much better now then they were when Indy took them to the woodshed, but I also think the Giants D will be plenty angry after last week.

by JonnyNYC on Oct 23, 2009 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs