The 2023 Colts defense finished the season middle-of-the-pack in about every team statistic you can think of. They ranked 17th in red zone scoring, 24th in opponent rush yards per game, 17th in opponent pass yards per game, and 24th in opponent yards per game. It was overall an average to below-average output though its 28th ranking in points allowed raises some eyebrows.
Typically when a defense’s points allowed numbers are so high there are areas such as the red zone, special teams, or woeful miscues on the offensive end that attribute directly to its point total. With the Colts’ dilemma, however, it’s not quite that simple.