Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has stressed the importance of having a good running game in the NFL.

The Colts struggled with the ball in hand this season despite signing Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns in September, often relying on quarterback Andrew Luck to make ground on offense.

Pagano has noted that the four remaining teams in the playoffs all had a successful running game during their divisional matches, leaving him in no doubt that his side need to improve in that regard next season.

"You have to be able to run the football and stop the run to win football games in the National Football League. Will we ever change? No. I don't think it's ever more prevalent," Pagano told reporters.

"The deeper you go, the further you go in the playoffs, you have to be able to run the football and stop the run. I think statistics alone from this past week are enough to continue to make me be a believer.

"You're going to have to throw the football sometime, and we have one of the best [with Luck]."

The Colts were eliminated by the New England Patriots in this season's playoffs, rushing for just 69 yards in their 43-22 defeat.