Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign

In the NFL, offensive grades from analytics platforms like Pro Football Focus (PFF) serve as a critical barometer of a team’s performance, blending raw statistics with play-by-play evaluation to measure efficiency, consistency, and impact. For the Indianapolis Colts, the 2024 campaign brought a solid offensive grade of 74.3 from PFF—placing them 11th among all NFL teams and marking a significant improvement from their 68.5 grade in 2023. This score reflects a balanced offensive effort that excelled in key areas while leaving room for growth, a mix that aligns with the Colts’ 9-8 record and near-playoff finish. Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign isn’t just a number; it’s a breakdown of how the team’s offense evolved over the season—from a unit still finding its rhythm early on to a more cohesive, dynamic force by the final weeks. By dissecting the components of this grade, we can understand what worked for the Colts’ offense, where they stumbled, and how they might build on this foundation in 2025.

Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign is largely driven by the standout performance of the team’s offensive line, which earned a collective PFF grade of 82.1—ranking 4th in the NFL and emerging as the offense’s backbone. Led by perennial Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson (who posted a career-high 89.2 individual grade), the line excelled in both pass protection and run blocking. They allowed just 23 sacks all season (the 5th-fewest in the league) and paved the way for a rushing attack that averaged 4.6 yards per carry (10th in the NFL). What made this line so effective was its consistency: they didn’t have a single starter with a grade below 72.0, and their ability to adjust to different defensive schemes kept opposing teams off balance. In critical situations—like third downs and red zones—the line stepped up, allowing quarterback Anthony Richardson to stay upright long enough to make plays and creating holes for running back Jonathan Taylor. Without this dominant offensive line, the Colts’ overall offensive grade would likely have been significantly lower, as it shielded other units from some of their inconsistencies.

Another key contributor to Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign was the growth of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, whose individual PFF grade of 73.8 represented a 6.2-point jump from his rookie season. Richardson showed marked improvement in decision-making, cutting his interception rate from 2.8% in 2023 to 1.9% in 2024, and he became more efficient in the short and intermediate passing game (completing 72% of passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage). His dual-threat ability remained a strength—he rushed for 580 yards and 7 touchdowns—but he also learned to use his legs more strategically, avoiding unnecessary hits and focusing on extending plays when needed. Richardson’s best performances came in high-pressure moments: he posted a 78.5 grade in fourth quarters, leading the Colts to four come-from-behind wins. However, he still had room to grow, particularly in deep passing (completing just 35% of passes beyond 20 yards) and against elite pass rushes (his grade dropped to 67.0 against teams with top-10 defenses). These inconsistencies prevented his grade from climbing higher, but his overall progress was a major factor in the Colts’ offensive success.

Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign also reflects the solid, if unspectacular, play of the team’s skill position players—though their performance was more uneven than the offensive line or quarterback. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. led the group with a 76.5 PFF grade, hauling in 92 receptions for 1,080 yards and 6 touchdowns, and he was particularly effective in the slot (completing 75% of targets there). However, the rest of the wide receiver corps struggled with consistency: Alec Pierce (68.3 grade) showed flashes of brilliance but dropped 7 passes, while rookie Josh Downs (65.1 grade) struggled to adjust to the NFL speed early in the season. At running back, Jonathan Taylor posted a 72.4 grade, rushing for 1,120 yards and 8 touchdowns, but he was limited by a nagging ankle injury that caused him to miss three games. The tight end group, led by Kylen Granson (69.8 grade), was reliable in blocking but underwhelming in the passing game (combining for just 450 receiving yards). For the Indianapolis Colts, the skill position group’s inconsistency was a bottleneck—while Pittman and Taylor provided stability, the lack of a second consistent playmaker prevented the offense from reaching elite status.

Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign also highlights the team’s strength in situational football, particularly in the red zone and on third downs. The Colts ranked 8th in the NFL in red zone efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 61% of their trips inside the 20-yard line—a stat that aligns with their 77.2 PFF grade in red zone situations. Richardson’s ability to extend plays and Taylor’s power running were key here, as was the offensive line’s ability to create space in tight quarters. On third downs, the Colts converted at a 41% rate (10th in the NFL), with a PFF grade of 75.3. Their success in these situations was driven by short, high-percentage passes to Pittman and Taylor, as well as Richardson’s ability to pick up first downs with his legs when the passing game stalled. However, the Indianapolis Colts struggled in one critical situational area: deep passing on early downs. They ranked 24th in the league in yards per attempt on first and second downs (5.8), a reflection of Richardson’s inconsistency in the deep game and the wide receivers’ struggles to get open downfield. Fixing this issue will be a top priority for the Colts in 2025, as it would allow them to stretch defenses and open up more opportunities in the run game.

The final takeaway from Offensive Grade of 74.3 for Indianapolis Colts in 2024 Campaign is that it represents a foundation for growth, not a ceiling. The Colts’ offense showed it could compete with most teams in the NFL, but it lacked the elite consistency needed to challenge the league’s top offenses (like the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers). The strengths—dominant offensive line, improving quarterback, reliable top skill players—are sustainable, and the weaknesses—deep passing, inconsistent secondary receivers, injury concerns at running back—are addressable through offseason moves (like signing a veteran wide receiver or drafting a deep-threat pass-catcher) and continued development (for Richardson and young players like Downs). For the Indianapolis Colts, this grade is a sign that their offensive rebuild is on track—they’ve gone from a bottom-tier unit in 2022 to a middle-of-the-pack force in 2024, with clear paths to move up. As they head into the 2025 offseason, the Colts can use this 74.3 grade as a roadmap: double down on their strengths, fix their weaknesses, and build an offense that can carry them deep into the playoffs.