The trade deadline officially passed this Tuesday, and so too did the chance for the Indianapolis Colts to make any last-minute midseason acquisitions that could help with a hopeful playoff push.

The inability to make any more trades this 2024 season also means Bleacher Report’s weekly list encouraging each NFL team to make moves now and in the future must shift its focus squarely toward the 2025 offseason.

The Bleacher Report scouting department listed Indianapolis’ five biggest needs as interior defensive line, safety, tight end, cornerback and edge rusher, but the two upgrades BR wants to see the Colts pick up prior to the 2025 campaign both came in the secondary. 

While the staff expressed optimism about Indianapolis’ young cornerback duo of Jaylon Jones and Samuel Womack, they still felt the Colts should target San Fransisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir in free agency.

“If Jaylon Jones and Samuel Womack continue to prove themselves, then the Colts won’t have to target a top-tier cornerback in free agency. For now, it remains a move that should be on the table. Deommodore Lenoir has become a lockdown corner over the course of his rookie contract in San Francisco. He’s improved every year and is in the middle of his best campaign yet,” wrote Alex Ballentine.

In his fourth season, Lenoir is currently ranked as the 61st-best cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). 

In coverage, Lenoir has earned a 71.5 grade, the 38th-best of 205 cornerbacks. Through eight games, Lenoir has collected two interceptions along with six pass deflections and a forced fumble. 

Although Lenoir currently ranks below three of the Colts starting cornerbacks including Jones, Womack and Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis can use all the help it can get at defensive back.

Through the first nine games of the season, the Colts have allowed the fifth-most total passing yards to opponents.

The Indianapolis Colts are 4-5 heading into a daunting defense of Lucas Oil Stadium against the 7-2 Buffalo Bills. With a lot at stake for Indy in this game and pressure mounting for a win against a red-hot Bills team, here are the five keys to getting it done on Sunday afternoon for the Colts.

Force Josh Allen into Mistakes

Bills superstar signal-caller Josh Allen has shown a propensity to throw incompletions and interceptions throughout his illustrious seven-year, two-time Pro Bowl career. However, 2024 hasn’t been the case for Allen. This year he’s playing on a Herculean level of efficiency with 168/262 completions for 2,001 passing yards, 17 touchdown tosses to 2 interceptions. He’s also tacked on 47 carries for 211 rushing yards, 22 first downs and 3 rushing touchdowns. In short, Allen is incredible as a quarterback.

What this means is the Colts have to provide consistent pressure in the trenches and eyes on the QB given his abilities running. While Allen may not have Stefon Diggs anymore, Amari Cooper, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman make up more than enough for the MVP candidate to distribute the football effectively. The Colts will have their hands full in forcing Allen into mistakes, but it’s documented that it can happen, giving Gus Bradley added motivation to continue his recent hot streak as Indy’s defensive coordinator.

Bounce Back Game for Jonathan Taylor

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has provided the most consistent offense for Shane Steichen outside of wide receiver Josh Downs. However, in week nine’s debacle loss against the Minnesota Vikings, Taylor fell flat as a runner, arguably being the biggest reason Joe Flacco and Co. couldn’t move the football with gusto. The former Wisconsin Badger concluded poorly with 13 carries for 48 rushing yards (3.7 average), and no scores.

Now that Anthony Richardson is benched, Steichen will need to get more creative with his run schemes to jar Taylor loose, putting him into more 1-on-1 situations to take advantage of. Taylor’s X-Factor is one-cut, unrelenting speed and power, so the play calls, blocking, and Flacco must improve to help the former All-Pro. It can’t be stressed enough that Taylor’s 2024 has a lower ceiling with a pocket-passing QB under center rather than an athletic field general who makes defenses questions their every read, regardless of prep. We’ll see what Steichen can do against the Bills’ defense.

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Interior Pressure

If the Colts want any chance at stopping Allen, they’ll need a big performance from Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner. However, it won’t be easy, as Allen hasn’t been put on the turf often, sustaining just 11 sacks through 9 games started. Luckily, Stewart and Buckner are healthy and coming off a strong performance against the Vikings. Buckner finished with 6 tackles and a sack while Stewart erupted, concluding with 2.0 sacks, 4 tackles (1 for loss), and a fumble forced for a Kenny Moore defensive TD.

Allen is the toughest QB test so far for this Colts’ defense, so it won’t be on Stewart and Buckner solely to produce. Defensive ends Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, and Dayo Odeyingbo will be integral in keeping Allen as contained as possible. However, there’s something to be said about defensive pressure in the face of any QB. If the Colts can get the best out of Stewart and Buckner against Allen, there’s a chance they can shock the Bills and limit their offensive charge.

Contain Shakir and Kincaid

While the Bills did recently acquire Cooper, he’s only been in Buffalo for a very short time. However, he’s already found the endzone and has snagged 5 catches for 69 receiving yards. But, so far in 2024 it’s been the duo of wide receiver Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid that have led the receiving charge for the Bills. Starting with Shakir, the third-year pro leads Buffalo with 42 catches for 471 receiving yards (11.2 average), and 2 touchdowns.

Tight end Kincaid is not far behind Shakir with 32 catches for 332 receiving yards (10.4 average), and 2 receiving touchdowns. While the Bills also have the deep threat Coleman, it’s Shakir and Kincaid that the Colts’ coverage must worry about most. Players like Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Kenny Moore II, and Sam Womack III will be paramount in sticking with these two Bills playmakers.

Joe Flacco Must Be Better

The Colts benched Richardson for Flacco because it gave them ‘the best chance to win now.’ While Steichen took a lot of blame for the recent primetime loss, it’s Flacco that was under center, not Indy’s frontman. Flacco looked aged, immobile, and behind the adjustments from the defense when he faced the Vikings. After looking solid in previous starts, Flacco had a big setback performance, finishing 16/27 for 179 passing yards, 0 touchdowns and an interception.

Flacco was also sacked 3 times and appeared rushed into bad throws that are otherwise routine for an NFL QB. The differences between a Richardson and Flacco-led offense are night and day, but Flacco is more efficient, calculated, and experienced. If weapons like Downs, AD Mitchell, and Alec Pierce can make plays and help get Flacco into rhythm, it will open up the rest of Steichen’s offense to compete with Allen on the other sideline.

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(WISH) — Tourism organizations serving Indianapolis and Hamilton County have come together to create the Holiday Adventure Pass.

The pass sadly won’t provide discounts to holiday attractions, but will issue credits for checking in at holiday attractions on their phones. Those credits can be redeemed for prizes. The no-cost pass is available now through Dec. 24; just sign up online.

To earn points, phone users must enable “location services” to check in via GPS or PIN at participating locations, said a news release from the government-supported tourism groups’ Visit Indy and Visit Hamilton County. Some of the venues are ticketed attractions, and although the Holiday Adventure Pass does not cover admission costs, “simply visiting a participating venue allows users to accumulate points,” the release said.

One check-in equals one credit, which qualifies for one of 2,000 “special edition” stickers featuring festive local art.

Three check-ins qualify for a one of 500 limited-edition ornaments.

Five check-ins can be turned into a holiday green beanie with the Holiday Adventure Pass logo.

Prizes can be redeemed only at The INDEX, a downtown Indianapolis visitor center and gift shop, and at the Carmel Christkindmarkt on Carter Green in Carmel.

Following is a list of attractions in Indianapolis and Hamilton County where credits can be collected, with links to find out more information.

• A Merry Prairie Holiday at Conner Prairie, Nov. 29-Dec. 22 in Fishers.
• Athenæum Christkindlmarkt, Nov. 29-Dec. 22, in Indianapolis.
• Carmel Christkindmarkt, Nov. 23-Dec. 24.
• Circle of Lights, Soliders & Sailors Monument on Monument Circle in Indianapolis.
• Civic Theatre, in Carmel, which will feature “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Nov. 29-Dec. 24.
• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art’s Jingle Rails, a model-sized “locomotive wonderland,” Nov. 16-Jan. 20 in Indianapolis.
• Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees, more than 80 decorated trees, Nov. 15-Jan. 4 in Indianapolis.
• Indiana State Museum’s Celebration Crossing, an event for children and their families, Nov. 29-Jan. 5 in Indianapolis. Other Celebration Crossing events include an adult-exclusive one and another for Kwanzaa.
• Indiana Repertory Theatre “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 16-Dec. 24 in Indianapolis.
• Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, which has “Elf in Concert” Nov 16-17, a playing of the movie “Elf” with music played live; and Yuletide Celebration Dec. 6-23.
• Indianapolis Zoo’s Christmas at the Zoo Nov. 23-Jan. 5.
• Newfield’s Winterlights Nov. 23-Jan. 5 in Indianapolis.
• Nickel Plate Express Reindeer Express, a train ride from Noblesville to Arcadia with holiday specialties.
• The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ Whimsical WinterFaire for young children on Dec. 3.
• The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, which will have “A Motown Christmas” on Nov. 14; the Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 30-Dec. 1; “Cherry Poppin’ Daddies: WWII Tiki Xmas Canteen” on Dec. 5; “The Four Phantoms: Holiday Show” on Dec. 6; “Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas” on Dec. 7; Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s “Family Pops: A Viennese Christmas” on Dec. 15; Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s “Handel’s Messiah”: and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s “Festival of Carols” Dec. 20-22.

Visit Indy gets support from the Indianapolis city government and Indianapolis Convention Center.

The Hamilton County Tourism Board oversees Visit Hamilton County.

Statements

“The Holiday Adventure Pass provides visitors with an engaging way to explore a wide range of holiday attractions in both counties while earning prizes to commemorate their visit. This initiative is timely and will help drive additional visitors into Central Indiana, ultimately driving additional spending to support the hospitality industry.”

Chris Gahl, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Visit Indy

“This partnership allows both destinations to create an enriching holiday experience for residents and visitors. From beloved annual traditions to fresh new highlights, each stop celebrates our communities’ unique charm and spirit, creating memories that will last well after the holiday season.”

Ashley Ledford, marketing and promotions director of Hamilton County Tourism