We continue to be impressed with the improvements the Indianapolis Colts have shown under first-year head coach, Frank Reich. Last week, we discussed how well their offensive line played. They continued to progress in Week 2. Don’t believe us? Check out rookie first-round left guard Quenton Nelson pull across the formation and absolutely flatten Redskins linebacker Mason Foster.

Boom! Nelson saw a linebacker in the hole and he dug him out!

But the offensive line was not the only impressive Colts unit in Week 2. Their defense also flashed potential and shut down an offense that showed decent explosiveness the previous week.

The Colts didn’t do anything complicated against Washington, necessarily. They relied on the quickness of their front 4 to consistently get in the backfield and disrupt the Redskins offense. Defensive end Jabaal Sheard continues to be the most underappreciated defensive player in football. He beat his man inside over and over, and was a disruptive force on just about every down. Sheard’s counterpart on the other side of the formation, defensive end Margus Hunt, also had his 2^nd straight productive performance to start the season. The Redskins simply couldn’t get their running game and Adrian Peterson off the ground as a result.

Just as impressive as the front 4 was the play on the back end. Rookie linebacker Darius Leonard could be a star in the making. His awareness in coverage and the way he reads, reacts, and attacks running plays flashes on film.

In the secondary, the Redskins challenged cornerbacks Pierre Desir and Kenny Moore multiple times, and both were up to the challenge. Alex Smith and the Redskins passing game were unable to make any game-changing plays as a result.

It’s early, but we get excited here at Football Film Room when young players emerge and change a team’s fortunes. We’ve been waiting years for Andrew Luck to be healthy and for a better infrastructure to be put in place around him. So far this season, we’ve seen impressive things on both sides of the ball. With games against the Eagles, Texans, and Patriots approaching over the next 3 weeks, we will get a much better idea of just how far this team has actually come.