The 2023 season has not unfolded at all how the Indianapolis Colts players or fans had hoped or planned. They lost their promising rookie quarterback to a season-ending injury and have spent large stretches of the season without star running back Jonathan Taylor. With a first-year head coach in Shane Steichen leading the way, the Colts haven’t exactly followed a formula for success in 2023.
Yet, heading down the stretch, the Colts are very much in a position to claim a playoff spot while Steichen has emerged as a candidate for Coach of the Year. In the USA legal betting sites are likely to see an increase in wagers on the Colts making the playoffs or Steichen winning Coach of the Year. But with so much going against Colts players this season, how have they done it? Let’s look at five players who have stepped up for Indianapolis and put the Colts in a position to make the playoffs.
Critical Indianapolis Colts Players Leading the Way
Zack Moss
With Taylor starting the season away from the team and recently getting hurt, the running back position should have been a huge question for the Colts all season. But thanks to Moss, that hasn’t been the case.
While Taylor has pushed Moss back into a supporting role at times, the fourth-year back out of Utah has always been ready when his number has been called. Moss has actually been more productive than Taylor in many respects and has already set a new career-high in touchdowns. Obviously, the Colts are hoping that Taylor can get back to full health for the last few games of the season. However, they know that they’re in good hands with Moss as the primary ball-carrier.
Zaire Franklin
Our Man of the Year. #WPMOYChallenge x Zaire Franklin pic.twitter.com/bUCH1eUMAP
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 6, 2023
There is no question that Franklin has been the heartbeat of the Indianapolis defense this season. Once an overlooked and undersized seventh-round pick out of Syracuse, Franklin has developed into one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He’s one of the NFL’s leading tacklers on the season and could even lead the league in that category when all is said and done. Of course, the Colts aren’t one of the better defensive teams in the league, which is why Franklin continues to be overlooked around the league. But he’s been an invaluable part of the Indianapolis roster this year as the leader of the defense.
Josh Downs
Even among rookie wide receivers, Josh Downs has been a little overlooked this season. However, he’s surpassing all expectations as a third-round pick and ranks among the top rookie wide receivers in most categories. Downs is Indy’s second-leading receiver on the season and has become a great complementary option behind Michael Pittman. With Alec Pierce struggling to find consistency in his second season in the league, the Colts needed someone else to step up and help their passing game, and Downs has answered the call.
With Indy starting out with a rookie quarterback and then moving to backup Gardner Minshew, they needed their receivers to play well. Downs has stepped up, and it’s safe to say the Colts wouldn’t be where they are without him.
Dayo Odeyingbo
The entire Indianapolis defensive line has helped to save the Colts this year. Indy has one of the best pass rushes in the league, which has allowed the Colts to hold onto leads late in games. This has been crucial in so many one-score wins.
While Dayo Odeyingbo isn’t even a starter among Colts players, he’s been one of the biggest difference-makers on the Indy defense. He provides quality depth behind Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam at defensive end and actually leads the team in sacks despite playing fewer snaps than Paye and Ebukam. The depth of pass-rushing talent has been a huge key for the Colts in 2023, which is why Odeyingbo is among the team’s unsung heroes and an important reason why they’re a playoff contender
Gardner Minshew
Last but not least, there is Gardner Minshew. He stepped in as the full-time starter after the injury to Anthony Richardson and found a way to position the Colts for a late-season playoff push. His numbers are far from spectacular, averaging just 6.6 yards per pass and barely throwing more touchdowns than interceptions.
However, Minshew has done a good job of managing games and utilizing the talent around him. He understands that he’s not going to win games on his own and has done a good job of limiting his mistakes. Each week, Minshew has at least given the Colts a chance to win, which is why he’s helped position them to earn a spot in the playoffs.