When the #Colts traded the 13th-overall pick for DeForest Buckner back in March, we heard of the effect he was expected to have on the defense as a whole.

Boy, has that turned out to be the case.

I present to you the DeForest Buckner Effect (in thread form)...
Colts defense with Buckner on the field: 18 takeaways, 3 defensive TDs, 3 safeties forced

Colts defense without Buckner on the field: 0 takeaways, 0 defensive TDs, 0 safeties forced
Colts defense with Buckner on the field: allows 5.39 yards per play

Colts defense without Buckner on the field: allows 6.38 yards per play

———

With Buckner: 28.72 conversion percentage allowed

Without Buckner: 35.86 conversion percentage allowed
With Buckner: 3.27 yards allowed per carry

Without Buckner: 5.16 yards allowed per carry

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With Buckner: 6.8 percent explosive run plays allowed

Without Buckner: 18.8 percent explosive run plays allowed
With Buckner: 6.95 passing yards per attempt allowed

Without Buckner: 7.69 passing yards per attempt allowed

———

With Buckner: 13.37 percent explosive pass plays allowed

Without Buckner: 18.63 percent explosive pass plays allowed
With Buckner: 29.82 percent (34/114) opposing drives end with a score (TD/FG)

Without Buckner: 83.33 percent (10/12) opposing drives end with a score (TD/FG)
There is enough of a sample size through Week 13 (192 total pass/run attempts without No. 99 on the field) to indicate without a shred of doubt just how important/valuable Buckner is to this defense.

There's Aaron Donald and DeForest Buckner, and then there's everyone else.
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