Awards Shine on Units of the Indianapolis Colts

The 2024 NFL season has been a standout year for the Indianapolis Colts, with multiple team units earning recognition through league-wide awards and honors—a testament to their collective talent, hard work, and strategic cohesion. From the offense’s record-setting efficiency to the defense’s dramatic turnaround and the special teams’ clutch performances, these units have not only driven the Colts’ playoff push but also cemented their place among the league’s elite. Unlike individual awards that highlight single players, these unit honors reflect the Colts’ commitment to teamwork, where every member—starters, backups, and coaches—contributes to success. Awards Shine on Units of the Indianapolis Colts explores the decorated units, the achievements that earned them acclaim, and how these honors have boosted team morale as they head into the final stretch of the season.

Awards Shine on Units of the Indianapolis Colts begins with the Colts’ rushing offense, which was named the NFL’s “Most Efficient Run Unit” by Pro Football Focus (PFF) for the first half of the 2024 season. Led by running back Jonathan Taylor and a resilient offensive line, the rushing attack ranked first in the league in yards per carry (5.1) and third in rushing touchdowns (16) through Week 12. What made the honor even more impressive was that the unit maintained its dominance despite losing two Pro Bowl offensive linemen—Quenton Nelson (knee) and Braden Smith (triceps)—to injuries. Taylor, who rushed for 981 yards and 7 touchdowns in that stretch, credited the line’s adaptability and the coaching staff’s playcalling for the award. “This isn’t just my award—it’s the line’s, the fullbacks’, everyone who blocks for me,” Taylor said. “Even when we lost Q and Braden, the backups stepped up, and we never missed a beat.” The PFF honor also highlighted the unit’s consistency: the Colts rushed for over 100 yards in 10 of their first 12 games, a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2014. For the Colts, this award validated their commitment to building a physical, ground-and-pound offense that keeps opposing defenses off balance.

A key decorated unit is the Colts’ defensive line, which won the NFL’s “Week 11 Defensive Unit of the Week” after a dominant performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, the defensive line recorded 6 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback pressures, limiting the Buccaneers to just 62 rushing yards and forcing two turnovers. Rookie defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore led the charge with 2 sacks and a forced fumble, while veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner added 1.5 sacks and a pass deflection. The unit’s ability to disrupt Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (who completed just 54% of his passes) was critical to the Colts’ 27-24 win, which kept them in the AFC South race. “That game was a perfect example of what this defensive line can do when we play as a unit,” said defensive line coach Matt Raich. “Every guy—starters and rotation players—brought energy and physicality, and it showed on the scoreboard.” The NFL’s recognition marked the first time the Colts’ defensive line had won the weekly award since 2020, a sign of how far the unit has come under Raich’s leadership. The honor also boosted the line’s confidence, as they entered a tough stretch of games against top-tier offenses like the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns.

A critical aspect of Awards Shine on Units of the Indianapolis Colts is the Colts’ special teams unit, which was named a finalist for the NFL’s “Special Teams Unit of the Month” for November—and what it means for the current Indianapolis Colts team. During that month, the special teams unit played a pivotal role in the Colts’ 3-1 record, with kicker Matt Gay making all 8 of his field goal attempts (including a game-winning 55-yarder against the Tennessee Titans) and punter Rigoberto Sanchez averaging 48.3 yards per punt with a 42.1-yard net average. The unit also blocked a punt in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars that led to a touchdown, highlighting their ability to create game-changing plays. Special teams coordinator Brian Mason said the nomination was a result of the unit’s attention to detail and teamwork. “Special teams is often the unsung hero, but this nomination shows that our hard work is being noticed,” Mason said. “Every player on this unit—from the kickers to the coverage guys—takes pride in their role, and that’s why we’ve been successful.” For the Indianapolis Colts, this nomination is more than just recognition—it’s a reminder of how critical special teams are to winning close games. With the Colts in a tight playoff race, the special teams unit’s consistency could be the difference between making the postseason and missing out.

Another important decorated unit is the Colts’ secondary, which earned PFF’s “Most Improved Secondary” award for the first 14 weeks of the season—and how it supports the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive resurgence. After ranking 25th in the NFL in passing yards allowed in 2023, the secondary jumped to 12th in 2024, allowing just 218 passing yards per game. The unit’s improvement was driven by strong play from cornerbacks Kenny Moore II (4 interceptions, 12 pass deflections) and rookie Jaylon Jones (who held opposing receivers to a 52tch rate), as well as safety Julian Blackmon (78 tackles, 2 interceptions). Even when injuries sidelined Moore and nickelback JuJu Brents for multiple games, the secondary didn’t falter—undrafted free agent Anthony Chesley stepped in and recorded an interception in his first career start. “This award is a testament to the secondary’s resilience and work ethic,” said secondary coach Ron Milus. “We spent all offseason working on communication and technique, and it’s paid off. Even when we lost key players, the backups were ready to step up.” For the Indianapolis Colts, the secondary’s improvement has been a cornerstone of the team’s defensive turnaround, making the defense a complementary force to the offense. The PFF award also validates Milus’ coaching approach, which emphasizes accountability and constant growth.

Wrapping up Awards Shine on Units of the Indianapolis Colts is the broader impact of these unit awards on the team’s culture and playoff mindset. Unlike individual honors, which can sometimes create division, these unit awards have brought the Colts closer together, reinforcing the idea that success is a team effort. Head coach Shane Steichen has highlighted the awards in team meetings, using them as motivation to keep pushing for more. “These awards are great, but they’re not the finish line,” Steichen said. “They’re a reminder of what we can do when we play as a team—and what we can achieve if we keep working together.” For the Indianapolis Colts, the decorated units have also become a source of pride for fans, who have celebrated the team’s success on social media and at Lucas Oil Stadium. The awards have also boosted the team’s confidence as they head into the final two regular-season games, with players knowing that their hard work is being recognized by the league. Awards Shine on Units of the Indianapolis Colts isn’t just about honoring achievements—it’s about celebrating the teamwork, resilience, and dedication that have made the Colts one of the NFL’s most surprising teams in 2024. As the Colts chase a playoff spot, these awards will serve as a reminder of what they’re capable of—and what they’re fighting for.