Photo Credit: USA Today
It was a rallying cry for the Colts throughout 2018.
Ranked 32nd in the NFL by ESPN during preseason. Predicted to go 2-14 and be the worst team in the league by USA Today. A 10-6 record with a Wild Card win later, and it’s safe to say those predictors had to eat their words and then some.
That’s all changed as we get ready to embark on the 2019 journey full of more wrong predictions. USA Today sports released their picks on Monday, and the Colts found themselves at the exact opposite end of what they did last year at this time:
Division winner.
Here’s what they had to say:
- Indianapolis Colts (10-6): “They won’t catch the league by surprise this year, and it doesn’t help having to navigate a division that projects as the conference’s most competitive from top to bottom. But a beast is burgeoning in Indy, thanks largely to a defense and O-line that don’t get sufficient renown. And no questions about QB Andrew Luck anymore.”
I don’t necessarily agree with the idea of “catching the league by surprise” this year because by the time we hit December last year it was well-known that the Colts were not a team to take lightly. That included a game against the future NFC East champion Cowboys, a virtual playoff game on the road against the Titans, and an actual playoff game on the road against Houston.
What it comes down for the Colts in 2019 is:
1. Stay healthy (obviously)
2. Improved pass rush
3. Take care of business at home (best team they face on paper is Atlanta and that’s the home opener)
If they do those three things, there’s absolutely no reason why you wouldn’t be crazy to take the over when talking about 10 wins for them this year. And USA Today won’t have to eat their words.
