Stampede Blue
Entering the game, the Seattle Seahawks were the NFL’s second-highest scoring offense, averaging 29.8 points per game. Against the Indianapolis Colts defense, however, Sam Darnold and Co. were tested.
The Seattle Seahawks are known as a second-half team, as they often take a beat to warm up; therefore, a one-score deficit (6-13) entering halftime was by no means a concern for Mike Macdonald‘s 12-man offense. Despite the odds stacking in Seattle’s favor, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo had other ideas.
The Colts’ first-half dominance was in large part due to their defensive effort. They limited Seattle’s offense to just six points (two field goals) and were regularly meeting Sam Darnold and Co. behind the line of scrimmage. Anarumo’s Colts defense held Seattle to just 1-6 on third down conversions and limited its rushing attack to just 3 yards total, thanks to five tackles for loss, including one sack by second-year defensive end Laiatu Latu.
Seattle’s aforementioned second-half prowess remained to be seen as the Colts simply refused to allow a touchdown. The Colts’ defense continued to do its thing in the second half, beginning the final periods by stiffening an 11-play drive out of the gate, ultimately holding them to a field goal attempt.
Going into the game, Seattle’s offense ranked 9th leaguewide with 235.6 passing yards per game and 18th in rushing with 117.8 yards per game. Against the Colts’ defense, they surpassed their season average through the air with 264 passing yards, but were held to just 49 yards on the ground.
Lou Anarumo’s Colts defense held Seattle to just 2-13 on third down conversions, a 15.4% conversion rate compared to its 39.9% rate on the season. It was a dominant showing against one of the league’s best offenses, until it wasn’t.
With just under a minute left in the fourth quarter, forty-seven seconds to be exact, Philip Rivers and the Colts offense capped off a drive with a career-long 60-yard field goal by kicker Blake Grupe, retaking the lead by one point. In just twenty-nine seconds, the Seahawks responded with a drive of their own, taking the lead back with a 56-yard field goal, which left just eighteen seconds on the game clock.
Lo and behold, 44-year-old Philip Rivers couldn’t get the job done with another game-winning drive. By Stathead’s advanced metrics (via Mike Chappell), this would be the Colts’ sixth loss in franchise history where they prevented a touchdown from being scored. While Lou Anarumo and this Colts defense are at fault for allowing Seattle to march downfield and retake the lead late in such a short turnaround, it’s hard to say that the majority of the blame goes their way, let alone that the loss is on them.
Down arguably its three best defenders in defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, Lou Anarumo’s Colts defense went toe to toe with one of the NFL’s best offenses and came up just short. Nobody should be in the business of moral victories,...
