The Colts are tied with the New England Patriots for the best record, both standing at 7-2 as Week 10 games approach. The Colts boast the No. 1 scoring offense, putting up 32.2 points per game. They're the only operation averaging more than 30 points.
Indianapolis' offense can do that because its air and ground attack are consistently firing. The Colts are tied for second in passing (257.8 yards per game) and fall eighth in rushing (125.6 yards per game).
"We're very, very confident in the scheme we've got," Falcons defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus said. "The game plan is very simple: Stick to what we know. Get off the ball. Dark room. Nate (Ollie, position coach) says, 'This is actually the biggest dark room game.' We got to go out there and stop the run."
The Falcons' run defense is 23rd, allowing an average of 124.4 rushing yards per game. They gave up a season-high 174 rushing yards in Week 7 to the 49ers, who were powered by McCaffrey's 129 rushing yards. Opponents' totals have only gone down since then, though.
Ulbrich thought his unit improved against traditional runs in the Falcons' Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins, who totaled 141 rushing yards. He thought it improved against non-traditional runs in the Falcons' Week 9 loss to the Patriots, who totaled 110 rushing yards.
"There was a high volume of runs, so whenever there's that many runs against you, the yardage isn't going to necessarily say that you're making these improvements," Ulbrich said. "But I do believe we did. I thought we were firmer and more physical inside."
The Colts picked Taylor in the second round of the 2020 draft. He had a career year in 2021, when he totaled a leading 332 carries for 1,811 yards for 18 touchdowns. He has cracked 1,000 rushing in three of his six seasons so far — and that's bound to soon turn into four.
"Every time I've gone against him," Ulbrich said, "he's just given me nightmares."