INDIANAPOLIS – When the concept of the NFL’s most dangerous offense is broached, the image that first comes to mind likely depends on the age of the beholder.

It could be Dan Marino’s Miami Dolphins or perhaps Kurt Warner’s Los Angeles Rams. Maybe it’s Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts or Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.

For the youngest observers, it’s likely Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs.

Each of those units – no matter the era in which they played – had one thing in common: an explosive passing game that put video game numbers on the stat sheet week in and week out.

The Detroit Lions – this year’s highest scoring NFL offense – certainly have that capability.

But this is a team that very much reflects the personality of its head coach – former NFL tight end Dan Campbell.

In addition to the aerial exploits of quarterback Jared Goff and his fleet of receivers, the Lions (9-1) boast the league’s third-ranked rushing offense. Two players – Jahmyr Gibbs (796 yards, eight touchdowns) and David Montgomery (595 yards, 10 touchdowns) – already have surpassed the 500-yard rushing mark, and Detroit is not afraid to get down in the trenches and bully the opposition when the situation calls for it.

“We had a joint practice what, two years ago with them, and I think what stood out is that they are a physical, tough team,” Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “They come in with a mentality. So it starts with that. It comes from their head coach. He’s done a great job with that culture. Then you look at their skillset, right? They’ve got two really good running backs. Their offensive line is – I mean compared to a lot of the great offensive lines that have played.

“So up front, they can run the ball. They can protect. The quarterback is playing – I mean, if he has three incompletions in a game, that’s a shocker to him. So they’re just very effective. They’re very efficient. They’ve got playmakers on the perimeter. … If they don’t score every series, they’re upset. So very explosive that way, and it’s a great challenge for us.”

Indianapolis has won its last two meetings against Mahomes and the Chiefs in large part by being the more physical team on the field.

The Colts ran the ball efficiently in both a 2019 victory at Arrowhead Stadium and a 2023 upset at Lucas Oil Stadium. That helped keep the Kansas City offense on the sideline, and the Indianapolis defense made some big plays at opportune times to further limit the damage.

That won’t be a simple formula to replicate Sunday against the Lions.

Detroit has the fifth-ranked run defense in terms of total yards and is 11th with an average of 4.3 yards allowed per carry. So keeping the ball out of the Lions’ hands will take significant effort.

And when Detroit has possession, it’s absolutely lethal.

The Lions average 33.6 points per game and have topped the 40-point barrier four times – including two 52-point showings in the past four weeks, against the Colts’ AFC South rivals Tennessee and Jacksonville.

Detroit put up a massive 645 yards of total offense last week against the Jaguars, and its 46-point margin of victory marked the third time this year it has won by more than 35 points.

This is domination often witnessed in the college game but rarely at the pro level.

“Obviously, they play hard for all four quarters,” Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. “They play really well together, especially offensively. On the offensive line, they do a really good job working with each other, communicating. They’ve got a lot of great skill players. They’ve probably got one of the best running back duos in the league. Obviously, Jared Goff is playing at a very high level.

“So, defensively, we’ve got to be on a lot of our keys and our technique. We’ve just got to continue to communicate better and just make sure that everybody, especially in the run game, are in their gaps and their fits.”

INJURY REPORT

Left tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee) did not practice again Thursday, increasing the chances Indianapolis will again start three rookies on the offensive line.

Right tackle Braden Smith (foot) was upgraded to full participation. Defensive end Tyquan Lewis (elbow) and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) were full participants for the second straight day.

Wide receiver Josh Downs (calf) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (knee) were added to the report but were full participants Thursday.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold (groin) was added a limited participant for the Lions and was the only player on Detroit’s 53-man roster who was not a full participant.