The Colts' Defense, 2026 Season
 

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The Dallas Cowboys and the Indianapolis Colts Are Among 5 Defenses Poised to Break Out in 2026

(By Ted Nguyen)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...s-colts-bears/




NFL defenses have typically been volatile year after year, as it’s been difficult for teams to maintain an elite unit. However, some of the league’s top defenses have been mainstays in the top-10 as of late.

It’s difficult to climb out of the bottom tier of defenses and become a good one. Last season, the Seattle Seahawks went from good to elite, and the Jacksonville Jaguars went from bad to top-10. So, which defenses have made enough off-season changes to break out this season ??? Let’s take a look.




Indianapolis Colts


The Colts hired a top-notch play-caller in Lou Anarumo last season, but unfortunately, they were hit hard by the injury bug. Their best player, DeForest Buckner, had season-ending neck surgery after Week 9, corner Charvarius Ward only played in 7 games because of multiple concussions, and cornerback Sauce Gardner, for whom they traded two 1st-round picks, strained his left calf after four games in a Colts uniform. In Weeks 1-7, with a healthy Buckner and Ward, the Colts ranked 4th out of 32 teams in the NFL in defensive EPA per play. It’s a small sample size, but it gives a glimpse of what Anarumo can do with some talent to utilize.

The Colts have a better defensive roster now than at the beginning of last season with the addition of 2nd-round linebacker CJ Allen, who will help fortify the run defense, and I’m intrigued by how Anarumo will use 3ird-round pick A.J. Haulcy. Haulcy is a safety who is best utilized around the line of scrimmage, and could fit into the role of a modern big nickel.

Ward and Gardner can be one of the best cornerback duos in the league and allow Anarumo to play man coverage on the outside and blitz when their four-man rush isn’t getting home. The pairing will allow the Colts to be unique defensively with so many teams moving toward more two-high, zone-heavy schemes. Anarumo’s strength is his creativity and willingness to change up what he does from week to week. Health will be an issue to watch, but the Colts defense will present a very different look than offenses will be used to seeing.


Carolina Panthers


The Panthers have been intentional in how they’ve constructed their defense through free-agency, signing players that fit well into coordinator Ejiro Evero’s system. Last year, they signed cornerback Mike Jackson and safety/nickel Tre’Von Moehrig. Jackson had a career season, and though Moehrig was expensive, his versatility was utilized effectively. This off-season, the Panthers signed edge linebacker Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Phillips gives the Panthers a stout run defender on the edge, and some much-needed pass rush juice. 2nd-year edge Nic Scourton also played well down the stretch and could develop into an impact starter.

Evero is respected around the league, and has been a serious head coach candidate in recent cycles. Carolina’s poor defensive rankings during his tenure have more to do with injuries and a lack of talent. They still have some major weaknesses, but last season, Evero had the most talented group that he’s had in his 3-years in Carolina. The Panthers ranked 22nd in defensive DVOA, and gave the Rams’ top-ranked offense issues in the regular season and the wild-card round.

Evero is from the Vic Fangio tree, but he hasn’t been able to use as many 2-deep coverages as he wants because of the Panthers’ weakness against the run. They ranked dead-last in defensive rushing success rate in the last 2 seasons. Phillips will help to disrupt outside runs, while Lloyd’s ability to play all over the front, including the line of scrimmage, will allow Evero to get creative with shifting or stemming his fronts before the snap. That will make it harder on offensive lines to execute their blocking schemes.

Last season, the Jaguars, with Lloyd, ranked 3rd in defensive EPA on passes between the numbers, under 15 air yards. The Panthers ranked 26th in the same metric. Lloyd’s pass coverage was a big part of the Jaguars’ ability to cover the middle of the field, and the Panthers hope that his athleticism will improve their secondary and create turnovers. Evero finally has the pieces that he needs to run the system that he wants to. The Panthers have some depth issues, but this should be the year that Evero leads a top-10 defense.


Dallas Cowboys


The Cowboys defense will grow along with 1st-year play caller Christian Parker. Parker was a highly regarded young coach, having worked under Vic Fangio since 2021. Fangio is the architect of the current defensive meta, and Parker knows how to install his defense and, most importantly, his curveballs. Parker will certainly put his own spin on the system, but the foundation will come from Fangio and the Cowboys successfully drafted Fangio prototypes for Parker, starting with safety Caleb Downs, who will play the important nickel position in the Cowboys system.

For this sort of defensive structure to work, you must have a front capable of defending the run from a light box, and the Cowboys have that with defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. New edge linebacker Rashan Gary has been inconsistent as a pass rusher, but he’s a strong run defender. Rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham, depending on how he develops, can give them a move-piece linebacker who will allow Parker to stem the Cowboys’ front similar to what Zack Baun does for the Eagles. Downs was also a dynamite run defender in college, and will consistently be part of the run fit.

The Cowboys will depend on youth. They need 1st-round pick Malachi Lawrence to provide them with instant juice off of the edge, and 2nd-year corner Shavon Revel to push Daron Bland, whose gambling play style doesn’t fit in the system, out of the starting lineup. The Cowboys may not push to be a top-10 unit, but they can make a huge improvement from being the 32nd-ranked defense in DVOA, FTN’s efficiency metric that accounts for strength of schedule. With their high-scoring offense, a jump to between 16th and 20th for the defense could make the Cowboys legitimate playoff contenders.


Chicago Bears


The Bears had 2 different defenses last year ...... their early-down defense, and their 3rd-down defense. They ranked 25th in defensive EPA per snap on 1st and 2nd down, but ranked 7th on 3rd down. The Bears ranked 2nd on 3rd-and-4th down with more than 7 yards to the 1st-down marker. The reason was simple ...... they struggled mightily to stop the run. They ranked 26th in defensive rushing success rate, and 27th in explosive rush rate allowed. We saw coordinator Dennis Allen’s ingenuity with his disguises and pressures in obvious passing situations, but the defense didn’t earn enough of those opportunities because it couldn’t stop the run, which resulted in finishing 25th in defensive DVOA.

Have the Bears done enough to shore up the run defense ??? They didn’t upgrade the defensive tackle room much. They added some depth, but Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett remain the starters. The return of cornerback Kyler Gordon, who played only 2 games last season, will help the run defense. Free-agent signing Devin Bush will help as well. 1st-round pick Dillon Thieneman was excellent against the run in college, and will add a disruptive force coming from depth against the run as well.

The weakness at defensive tackle will likely prevent them from being a high-level run defense, but the surrounding pieces could be enough to at least make them average. That would be a force multiplier for them with how good Allen is as a play caller in passing situations. The Bears gave up the 6th-highest explosive run rate in the league last year ...... if they can cut that figure down, it will have a trickle-down effect for the rest of the defense.

Gordon will help their slot coverage tremendously, and free-agent signing Coby Bryant is one of the better free safeties in the league who will make their pass defense even better. Although edge Montez Sweat isn’t an ideal No. 1 rusher, he should be aided by a potential Austin Booker breakout season ...... Booker was affected by injuries, but had 4.5 sacks in his last 6 games, including the playoffs.


Tennessee Titans


Most of my optimism for the Titans stems from their improved defensive line. The most important part of making a Legion-of-Boom-based system work is having a disruptive defensive line that can get upfield. Jeffery Simmons is one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the league, and the Titans found an excellent running-mate for him with free-agent signing John Franklin-Myers (39 pressures and 7.5 sacks last season.)

The Titans also traded for Jermaine Johnson, who played for Robert Saleh in New York. Johnson hasn’t lived up to his 1st-round billing, but he had a promising sophomore season under Saleh in 2023, finishing with 7.5 sacks. They also drafted edge Keldric Faulk in the 1st round to play opposite Johnson. Both defensive ends have more potential than production, but the defensive tackle duo will be among the best in the league, and will be the catalyst for the Titans.

2nd-year linebacker Cedric Gray was excellent against the run last season, and questionable in coverage. Saleh has always needed to have a strong coverage linebacker in the middle of the field to run with big crossers from athletic tight ends and receivers. Linebacker Cody Barton was disappointing in his first season in Tennessee, but he has experience in this system and has been a good coverage linebacker in the past ..... perhaps he can bounce back.

The Titans rebuilt their secondary through free agency, adding 2 starting boundary corners in Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott. They don’t have stars on the back end, but they have enough to hold up and allow their defensive line to eat. The Titans finished 29th in the NFL in defensive DVOA last season, but look ready to make a major jump.

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Thanks C&O for posting these articles for us without subs.

Some stupid and uninformed NFL analysts are counting Zaire Franklin as a loss for the colts? Do they only look at tackle numbers?

Zaire was not the worst coverage LB that we have ever seen, only because, unfortunately, we got to experience RAWB!

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(vs. RAVENS, 9/13)



TD


TD


Turnover on Downs


TD


TD


Fumble Recovery


FG


PUNT


PUNT


TD


FG


Clock Ran Out

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When you don't stop the run, get no pressure AND don't cover worth shit life is tough as a defense.

Over 500 yards put up against them. They broke out alright. I'm not sure they broke a sweat.

There have been several games in recent years where I’ve blamed high points against on the offense for too many 3 and outs, just losing time of possession and getting the defense gassed late. This isn’t one of those. The offense was sub par outside of the scripted opening drive for sure but otherwise the defense got abused from the start and it could have been worse if the ravens didn’t lose receivers to injury.

I thought it was both. The turnovers put them in a bad spot and they were on the field a lot in the first half. Can't turn the ball over and expect to win.

Yeah but besides that, they were solid.

Atrocious

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These 2 teams just played each other in the season-opener ...... the result was the highest-scoring season-opener in the history of professional football (1920 - Present.)



CHICAGO BEARS llllllllllll - 59

CAROLINA PANTHERS ll. - 37



Bears Trounce Panthers 59-37 in Highest-Scoring Season Opener in NFL History

(Associated Press)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401872661

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According to Bowen, the Ravens 506 yards of offense was the 10th highest total in team history, and would have been 9th had they not lost 3 yards on a kneel down at the end of the game.

Meanwhile, our 2nd round linebacker didn’t even get on the field on defense.

That turd of a game smells worse every time you sniff it.

Defenses that are poised to break out? or break apart?

Panthers surrendered 59 points
Colts surrendered 41
Bears surrendered 37
Cowboys surrendered 28

Titans did OK. 23 points

But as I said in another thread, 1 game doesn't make a season.

Aren't you the least concerned that this is the same type of thing we have had happen the last decade? Concern that this is almost an exact continuation of how we ended last year? In my mind it is not just one outlier game. Mentally I am not sure this team has the capability of turning this around, their entire history as a team together has been as losers. Everyone seems to be focused on 2 great months of football we played a year ago. That was in the midst of a 5 year drought from the playoff and followed by what is now the longest current losing streak in the NFL. Why should I believe this same group of players and coaches can suddenly learn how to win games after years and years of the losing? I am not happy about this, find it incredibly depressing.

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(vs. CHIEFS, 9/20)



(REGULATION)



FG


TD l (Off of a Turnover, Deep in Colts Territory)


Missed FG l (51-Yard Attempt)


TD


PUNT


TD


FG


PUNT


Clock Ran Out



(OVERTIME)


FG


FG

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The Colts 2026 defense= THE MOST YARDS GIVEN UP IN THE FIRST 2 GAMES OF A SEASON IN NFL HISTORY!

Lou is a fucking loser!

Late in the game I was convinced Latu had to be injured because JTT was logging a huge chunk of plays. Nope, there comes Latu out there again.

Look, Latu is nothing to write home about, just another fucking Ballard huge miss, but seriously, JTT? This is absolutely blows in every way a defender can possibly blow! I am confident in a 40, I would beat him by 2 seconds.

My God this is an abomination. Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen, and Lou Anarumo- never in the history of sport has there been a trio that has as much collective suck to them! Can't wait till all this stain is washed away and I never have to think about this era again.

The camera kept panning to JT on the bench as Mahomes was just marching them down the field- man if there were only a way to somehow translate a person's thoughts to a caption on the screen; JT looked like he would have happily shot all three of them if given the chance. Chris Ballard has wasted that dude's 1st ballot HOF career! Sad sad sad shit!

The pass defense has been bad but at least you can point to the two mvp quarterbacks they’ve played so far as at least part of the reason. It still doesn’t excuse it for sure, especially considering we have Gardner and Ward at cornerback.

It’s the run defense that’s been more disappointing.

Either way, it adds up to 0-2 and the season on the line Sunday against an equally desperate Houston team, who we have struggled to beat recently.

Well, if your coach can't manage the game, at least have him learn how to handle the press in the post game. Like this guy did.

https://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.co...-mckay-quotes/

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I would like to give my rat's ass of an opinion in regard to 3 key moments in the game, especially the last 2.


1) l After holding the Chiefs to a FG on their opening possession, the Colts had a 7-3 lead and possession of the ball ...... until they immediately turned the ball over deep in their own territory, after which Patrick Mahomes and company quickly punched the ball into the end-zone for a 10-7 lead.

OK, turnovers happen, and the defense has to deal with that reality ...... but a turnover deep in your own territory right after salvaging holding the opponent to a field goal at that point in the game is an early punch-in-the-mouth.


2) l Late in the 4th quarter, Patrick Mahomes and his offense had the ball right after the Colts scored a game-tying TD, knotting the score of 27-27. Patrick Mahomes and his offense got a 1st down and were near midfield, and it looked like the Colts were finished ...... all the Chiefs had to do was get another 1st down and a few extra yards to get into what would be a game-winning FG attempt from their kicker in Harrison Butker, who is capable of knocking them down from 65 yards ...... but the defense forced a punt, putting the Colts in prime position to win the game.

With possession of the ball in a tie game with the clock winding down to under a minute left to play in the 4th quarter, it looked like the Colts were in control and ready to kick a walk-off FG from Spencer Shrader ...... but the Colts came up one 1st down and about 7 or 8 yards short of giving Shrader a chance to win it, and had to punt the ball away, resulting in overtime.


3) l In overtime, the Colts deferred and elected to give the ball to Patrick Mahomes and his offensive gang. The Colts' defense bent but did not brake, and held Mahomes and company to a FG attempt, of which Harrison Butker knocked through the uprights.

If your team is playing against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs and your defense holds them to a FG on the opening possession of overtime, I'll take that situation 10 times out of 10 ...... the Colts gambled by giving the Chiefs the ball 1st with the possibility of giving Mahomes 2 possessions (which is just how things worked after the 2 teams exchanged FG's) ...... and the gamble initially paid off, because the Colts' defense at least kept Mahomes and company out of the end-zone, which put the Colts in position to win the game with a TD with plenty of time still left on the overtime clock.

The Colts immediately burned the Chiefs with a 48-yard bomb to Laquon Treadwell, setting them up at the Chiefs' 16 yard-line ...... the Colts were in prime position to win the game at this point ...... but for reasons only known to himself, head coach Shane Steichen decided to call plays as if the game were tied and the Colts only needed a chip-shot FG to win ...... predictably, the Chiefs easily stopped Jonathan Taylor on 2 extremely conservative run-calls on both 1st and 2nd down, and the Colts had to settle for a FG, blowing yet another golden opportunity to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on their homefield in western Missouri.


******************************************


So in conclusion, the Colts' defense gave up about 55 million yards of total offense to the Chiefs ...... but I wanted to point out those 3 nuances, 2 of which they did a more than reasonably good job of putting their team in position to win the game.

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I've said it a few times on here. Set aside his penchant for going for it a lot on 4th (and often in terribly bad situations), Steichen is really kind of a puss as a HC. He does not seem like the type that inspires exceptional play by just being the leader of the men- at all!

To show how poorly we have played if we keep giving up the yards we have given up in the first 2 games (won't happen) we will give up 8746 yards (514 a game) this year. Incredibly the 2012 Saints gave up 7042 (440 a game) so maybe i shouldn't be so quick to say it couldn't happen.

With sweety Lou with the headset on, dude it is possible we could give up that 8K before the 5th game- which is sad, because the girls STILL wouldn't fire him after giving up 8K yards in 5 games.

This franchise is doomed so long as all these idiots continue to soil the payroll.