Colts Defense Turns a Corner: Buckner Hails Progress as Week 5 Steelers Test Looms
Maybe no defensive group has had it rougher than the Indianapolis Colts this season, and they may not be out of the woods anytime soon. That said, all it takes is a few steps toward improvement to get the ball rolling, and Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers is the Colts’ defense’s next chance to keep stepping forward.
The path to a top-tier defense is rarely linear, but the trajectory for Indianapolis has been unusually steep in the opposite direction of late. After a turbulent start that left fans questioning the unit’s foundation, the defense has begun to show tangible signs of life. Veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner believes the steady improvement seen in recent weeks is real, and the numbers suggest he isn’t wrong.
The Early Season Nightmare: Yards and Points Allowed
The Colts started the year in historically bad shape. Through the first two games, the unit surrendered a massive 1,029 total yards. That pace put Indianapolis at 31st in the NFL in combined passing (261.3) and rushing (131.0) yards allowed, while the yards-per-game average ranked second-worst in the league at 392.3. Conceding over 1,000 yards to opposing offenses in a single weekend span is unacceptable for a team with championship aspirations.
While the losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs were defensible on paper—especially given the Chiefs nearly beat the Colts in overtime—the manner in which the Colts lost drew justified criticism. The issue wasn’t the outcome so much as the inability to stop the clock or the gain of yards.
DeForest Buckner Points to Fundamental Improvements
Since their overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, the Colts’ defense has tightened up considerably. They held opponents to just 540 total yards combined over their last two games. Those two games also happened to be wins, validating the correlation between defensive efficiency and victory.
During a media session this week, Buckner pointed out the specific mechanics behind the improvement. The defense has gotten significantly better on first and second downs, and especially on third downs. Getting off the field quicker so the Colts offense can get back on the field has been key. This allows Indianapolis to control possession and keep their own defense rested.
One game at a time is how a football team improves. Buckner emphasizes that the focus is on steady, weekly progress rather than expecting the defense to be perfect overnight after such a rough start.
Tackling and Pressure: The Numbers Behind the Turnaround
Another major cleanup point has been open-field tackles. In the first two games, the Colts’ defense missed 28 of those types of tackles, a significant change-up from missing just four against the Houston Texans in Week 3. This discipline directly correlates to the points allowed dropping from a staggering 37 per game to 15 per game across Weeks 3 and 4.
| Metric | Weeks 1-2 | Weeks 3-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards Allowed | 1,029 | 540 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 37 | 15 |
| Missed Open-Field Tackles | 28 (First 2 Gms) | 4 (vs. Texans) |
| Three-and-Outs Forced | 3 (Combined) | 4 (Week 4) |
Buckner’s comments about getting off the field earlier were proven by the Colts forcing four three-and-outs in their Week 4 victory over the Washington Commanders. In the first two weeks, they had forced just three combined three-and-outs. With Buckner directly involved, the Colts’ front seven have also significantly increased their pressure, with help from defensive tackles like Grover Stewart and edge rusher Laiatu Latu.
The Next Step: Shutting Down the Steelers
Indianapolis has gone from allowing 37 points per game in Weeks 1 and 2 to 15 points per game in Weeks 3 and 4. That is a stark contrast in numbers. If the Colts are truly getting better on defense, and it proves to be long-lasting, shutting down the Steelers’ offense is the next step in this defensive turnaround.
The challenge in Week 5 is distinct from the pass-heavy struggles of the opening two weeks. Pittsburgh brings a disciplined offense that tests scheme and discipline more than raw volume. This matchup serves as the litmus test for whether the Colts’ improvement was a temporary blip or a structural correction. The opportunity for the defense to build on its momentum is clear, and the stakes for consistency are high.
Giving up over 1,000 yards to the opponent’s offenses is unacceptable. Still, what the Colts’ defense has done since then that can give Colts fans renewed optimism is also what Buckner sees, and if he’s seeing a change for the better, then maybe things truly are turning a corner.
Outlook: Consistency is the Real Goal
While the recent strides are encouraging, the Colts cannot afford to regress. The jump from 37 points allowed to 15 points allowed is significant, but sustaining a defense that forces three-and-outs and makes open-field tackles is the metric that matters most over a 17-game season.
For now, the narrative has shifted from “can this defense stop anyone?” to “can they stay stopped?” Week 5 against Pittsburgh represents the first real opportunity to answer that question definitively. If the front seven continues to generate pressure and the secondary tightens coverage, Indianapolis could find itself with a unit that is genuinely dangerous.
For Colts fans, the message from veterans like Buckner is one of cautious optimism. The work is being done, the numbers are moving in the right direction, and the focus remains on steady, incremental improvement rather than expecting perfection overnight.
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