The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive tackle Raekwon Davis during free agency to bolster their run defense depth. This past Sunday, without DeForest Buckner, Davis played an important role in limiting the Bears’ run game.
If you look at the stat sheet, at least according to PFF, you’ll see just two tackles for Davis. However, those were two important tackles.
One came during the Colts’ eventual goal line stand. Davis used a swim move to beat Bears right tackle Darnell Wright and then helped make the tackle on the ball carrier Khalil Herbert.
The second came with the Bears just across midfield and facing a first-and-10. Chicago tried running an end-around to receiver DJ Moore, but Davis sniffed it out and make the tackle about six yards behind the line of scrimmage.
But going beyond the numbers, Davis is a player whose impact isn’t always going to show up on the stat sheet. At 6-7 – 335 pounds, Davis can command quite a bit of attention from the offensive line. When he’s eating up space or taking on double-teams, he frees up opportunities for others.
Out of all defensive tackles in Week 3, Davis finished with the ninth-best PFF run defense grade and had an average depth of tackle at two-yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Overall, the Colts’ run defense had a much needed bounce-back performance against the Bears, allowing just 63 rushing yards on 28 carries.
Davis would also play a season-high 38 snaps in this contest including several next to Grover Stewart during more obvious running situations.
I imagine that this was the kind of impact GM Chris Ballard envisioned when signing Davis, and it will be paramount for the Colts’ defense that he continues to play at this level. Upcoming is a big test against a run-heavy Pittsburgh Steelers offense.
