Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings

In the NFL, a team’s secondary—comprising cornerbacks, safeties, and nickel defenders—serves as the final line of defense against high-powered passing attacks, and this season, the Indianapolis Colts have cemented theirs as one of the league’s best, landing at 10th place in Pro Football Focus (PFF)’s secondary rankings. PFF’s standings are widely regarded as a gold standard for evaluating defensive back play, as they assess every snap based on nuanced metrics: coverage efficiency (how often defenders limit receptions), ball skills (interceptions, pass breakups), tackling accuracy (avoiding missed tackles), and run support (contributing to stopping the run). For the Colts, this top-10 ranking marks a significant leap from last season’s 17th-place finish, a turnaround fueled by targeted roster moves, improved chemistry, and standout individual performances. In an era where NFL offenses throw the ball more than ever—averaging over 35 pass attempts per game—the Colts’ elite secondary has become a critical asset, limiting big plays, forcing turnovers, and keeping opposing quarterbacks in check. This achievement is why Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings has become a cornerstone of the team’s defensive success story this season.

Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings gains deeper context when breaking down the specific PFF grades that define the unit’s excellence. PFF’s secondary rankings split performance into three key positions, and the Colts excel across all of them, with no weak link to drag down their overall score. At cornerback, the Colts’ starters hold an average PFF grade of 72.8—good for 8th in the league—thanks to their ability to shut down opposing wide receivers in both man-to-man and zone coverage. Nickel defenders, who handle slot receivers (a growing threat in modern offenses), boast a 71.5 grade (11th in the NFL), a testament to their quickness and ability to navigate traffic in the middle of the field. Safeties, meanwhile, earn a 70.2 grade (12th overall), standing out for their versatility: they excel in deep coverage (preventing long touchdowns), support the run (tackling running backs near the line of scrimmage), and even blitz (pressuring quarterbacks from the secondary). What makes this performance remarkable is its consistency: the Colts’ secondary has posted a PFF grade above 70 in 8 of their 11 games this season, a level of reliability that few teams can match. This all-around strength ensures that opponents can’t exploit a single position, making the Colts’ secondary a nightmare for passing offenses.

A critical driver of Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings is the standout play of veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II, whose individual PFF grade of 84.3 ranks 4th among all NFL cornerbacks. Moore, a 7-year veteran and fan favorite, has been a lockdown force on the outside, limiting opposing No. 2 receivers to just 48tch rate when targeted—well below the league average of 63%. His ability to anticipate routes, close quickly on the ball, and make tackles without giving up extra yards has been instrumental in the Colts’ coverage success. This season, he’s added 1 interception, 8 pass breakups, and 47 total tackles, with PFF grading him as the Colts’ top defender in 5 different games. Beyond his stats, Moore’s leadership has been invaluable: he serves as the secondary’s “quarterback,” calling out coverages, adjusting assignments on the fly, and mentoring younger defensive backs like rookie cornerback Julius Brents. Brents, a 2024 draft pick, has also contributed to the secondary’s success, posting a 69.1 PFF grade in limited snaps and showing promise as a future starter. Together, Moore’s experience and Brents’ potential embody the depth and talent that have lifted the Colts’ secondary to elite status. Without Moore’s consistent excellence, the Colts’ top-10 PFF ranking would be far out of reach.

Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings is particularly impactful for the Indianapolis Colts as they navigate the pass-heavy AFC South, a division filled with quarterbacks and receivers who test even the best secondaries. The division includes the Jacksonville Jaguars (led by Trevor Lawrence and star wide receiver Calvin Ridley) and the Houston Texans (with rookie phenom C.J. Stroud and speedster Nico Collins), both of whom rank in the top 12 in the NFL in passing yards per game. Against these divisional rivals, the Colts’ secondary has been nothing short of dominant: in 4 games against AFC South opponents, they’ve allowed an average of just 201 passing yards per game (compared to 228 against non-division teams) and forced 5 interceptions. The Indianapolis Colts’ ability to slow down these high-octane passing attacks has been key to their 3-1 division record, which puts them in contention for the AFC South title. For example, in a Week 8 win over the Texans, the secondary held Stroud to a season-low 189 passing yards, intercepted him once, and broke up 4 passes—including a game-sealing breakup by Moore in the final minute. This divisional success, driven by the secondary’s elite PFF performance, gives the Indianapolis Colts a crucial edge in the playoff race, as wins against division foes carry extra weight in tiebreakers. Without their top-10 secondary, the Colts would likely be struggling to keep up in one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions.

Another vital aspect of Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings is the role of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s scheme, which has maximized the talents of the Indianapolis Colts’ secondary and neutralized opposing passing attacks. Bradley’s system is built around “flexible coverage”—switching between zone (defenders cover areas) and man-to-man (defenders cover specific receivers) based on the opponent’s formation, and using pre-snap motion to confuse quarterbacks. For example, against teams with a star wide receiver (like the Jaguars’ Ridley), Bradley will often have Moore shadow that receiver across the field, while using safeties to provide over-the-top help. Against spread offenses (like the Texans), he’ll deploy a “dime” package (6 defensive backs) to cover multiple slot receivers, relying on the secondary’s speed and ball skills to limit short completions. This adaptability has been key to the secondary’s PFF success: they’ve held 7 of their 11 opponents to below their season average in passing yards. The Indianapolis Colts’ defensive backs have also embraced the scheme, with Moore noting, “Coach Bradley gives us the tools to succeed—he trusts us to make plays, and that confidence translates to the field.” This synergy between scheme and talent has turned the Colts’ secondary from a solid unit into an elite one, as reflected in their top-10 PFF ranking.

Finally, Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings highlights the Indianapolis Colts’ long-term commitment to building a sustainable, elite secondary—one that doesn’t rely on short-term fixes but instead grows stronger over time. Over the past three off-seasons, the team has invested in the secondary through the draft (selecting Brents in 2024, safety Nick Cross in 2022) and free agency (re-signing Moore to a 4-year deal in 2023), ensuring that key positions are filled with young, talented players who can develop together. This approach has paid off: the secondary’s PFF ranking has improved steadily, from 22nd in 2022 (65.3 grade) to 17th in 2023 (68.7 grade) to 10th this season (73.1 grade). The Indianapolis Colts’ front office has also prioritized continuity, keeping Bradley and secondary coach Ron Milus on staff to ensure the scheme remains consistent—a factor that helps young players learn and grow. Looking ahead, most of the secondary’s key players (Moore, Cross, Brents) are under contract for the next 2-3 seasons, meaning the unit’s elite performance isn’t just a one-year fluke. It’s a foundation for future success. Elite Secondary: Indianapolis Colts Rank 10th in PFF Standings is more than a testament to this season’s play; it’s a sign that the Indianapolis Colts have built a secondary that can compete with the NFL’s best for years to come.