The Indianapolis Colts finished an unmemorable 2024 campaign with plenty of disappointment after missing the playoffs for a fourth straight year. While the defense looked rough under Gus Bradley, the offense wasn’t the greatest in year two of Shane Steichen.

While Indy finished 13th in the NFL in overall yards per game (334.8), they concluded in the bottom half in points per game at 17th (22.2). Many eyes were on quarterback Anthony Richardson’s performance, but the offensive line was the biggest constant with mainstays like guard Quenton Nelson, center Ryan Kelly, and tackle Braden Smith.

However, Pro Football Network‘s Ben Rolfe believes the Colts’ protection isn’t what it used to be, ranking the position group 15th in the NFL in their recent article ranking all 32 offensive lines.

The Indianapolis Colts’ OL is no longer the elite unit it once was. It still has some good players, but it lacks high-level talent across the board.

– Ben Rolfe | Pro Football Network

Advertisement

To Rolfe’s point on the aforementioned ‘mainstays,’ minus Nelson, Kelly (67.0) and Smith (66.2) didn’t post the best offensive grades from Pro Football Focus and might show signs of regression. However, to say the Colts’ offensive line lacks talent is a bit of a stretch.

Indianapolis took the third and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL draft to select Matt Goncalves (third-rounder) and Tanor Bortolini (fourth-rounder). With multiple injuries on the line, both had opportunities to start and gather valuable NFL experience in the trenches.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Goncalves saw 563 snaps at both tackle positions, while Bortolini logged 348 at center. While neither played out of this world in their rookie campaigns, they were solid in their starting roles and have bright futures.

Yes, the Colts can push backups who saw action and underwhelmed like guard Dalton Tucker or tackle Blake Freeland, but the Colts have young names developing into possible starter-level talents.

Tony Sparano Jr.’s unit protected quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Richardson well, allowing 32 sacks as a team, which was tied for the seventh-fewest in 2024. Flacco’s immobility did help account for 12 of the sacks, but overall, Indy did fine to shore up their field generals.

As for run-blocking, it all stands out in running back Jonathan Taylor’s metrics. The Pro Bowler accumulated 303 carries for 1,431 rushing yards (4.7 average) and 11 rushing scores. While it’s fair to say Taylor is an elite back, he can’t always generate four-plus yards a tote without a line that creates the lanes.

The Colts can always afford to add more skillsets to their offensive line unit. Given that the injury rate is guaranteed at the pro level, it’s smart to have capable players backing up the starters. Luckily for Indianapolis, quarterback Richardson avoids sacks well and can get out of the pocket effectively.

Look for the Colts to continue emphasizing adding depth to the offensive line. While free agency and the draft are ahead, so are difficult decisions for Chris Ballard and Co. on Kelly, Fries, and Smith. We’ll see who they let walk and possibly re-sign, for the 2025 campaign.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

Light snow flurries in Indianapolis early Sunday signaled an approaching arctic air mass that could bring dangerous wind chills as low as -20 degrees across Indiana in the coming days.

Bitterly cold temperatures are forecast across Indiana from 7 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to a cold weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

By Monday, the daily high is expected to drop near 10 degrees, with wind chill indexes cold enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin within just 30 minutes.

The NWS urges Hoosiers to cover all skin when going outdoors and to bring pets inside. When traveling, wear several layers and bring extra blankets in case of an emergency.

“That cold air will continue to filter in and we’re going to be below zero for overnight lows tonight,” NWS Indianapolis meteorologist Randy Bowers told IndyStar. “For the next few days, we’re going to be quite a bit colder than normal.”

Indiana’s weather colder than normal

At the peak of the cold blast, Central Indiana temperatures will be 25 to 30 degrees below typical levels, Bowers said. The average high this time in January is 36 degrees, while the overnight low is around 20 degrees.

Here’s the latest NWS forecast through Wednesday:

• Sunday, Jan. 19: Scattered snow showers before 1 p.m., then scattered flurries. Mostly cloudy, with temperature falling to around 14 by 5 p.m. By tonight, ambient air temperatures will be as low as -1 and wind chill values as low as -14.
• Monday, Jan. 20: Sunny and cold, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -14. Monday night’s low is around 3.
• Tuesday, Jan. 21: Mostly sunny but even colder than Monday, with a high of 8 degrees. Tuesday night’s low is -3.
• Wednesday, Jan. 22: Mostly sunny with a high near 22. Wednesday night’s low is 17.

Will it snow in Indiana this week?

Little to no snowfall is forecast over the next week. On Sunday, a band of snow swept across Central Indiana and counties east of Indianapolis. Visibility could be poor for drivers, with rapid snow accumulations of a few tenths of an inch.

“There really is not a good chance of precipitation for the next seven days,” Bowers said. “Kind of a dry pattern. It’s mainly just cold.”

Weather info you need

🚨 Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories.

⚡ Indiana power outage map: How to check your status.

💻 Internet outages: How to track them.

🚫 What you should and shouldn’t do when the power is out.

🐶 Your neighbor left their pet outside. Who you should call.

Warming shelters around Indianapolis

People can find information about warming shelters via the city’s winter contingency plan or by calling 211. Emergency warming shelters will be available during harsh weather conditions through March 31.

Indy Parks Family Shelters will be open to all during normal business hours, which can be found at this link.

More: Freezing cold is here. Where to stay warm and find overnight shelter in Indianapolis.

Email IndyStar Housing, Growth and Development Reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09