The Indianapolis Colts could be the surprise team of 2018
The Indianapolis Colts entered a dark place in 2017, but they could rise from the ashes and be one of the NFL’s best in 2018…
The Indianapolis Colts hit rock bottom after the 2017 NFL season.
That’s right — after.
The Colts’ 2017 season was filled with pathetic performances both offensively and defensively, but injuries were a major reason this team failed to live up to its potential over the past couple of seasons.
No one needs to be reminded of the difference Andrew Luck makes when in the Colts’ lineup, but with Luck’s injury issues affecting his on-field play even when he was out there for the Colts, it’s important to remember how tough this team is on a weekly basis when he’s in the lineup.
Luck is as good as any quarterback in the NFL when it comes to overall skill set.
He’s the type of player that can elevate the level of the entire team around him. The Colts can’t come back from a 17-point deficit without Andrew Luck, but they can when he’s in the lineup.
Luck can execute a back-breaking 13-play drive to wear a defense down, or he can run a quick-strike, no-huddle offense to perfection and get the Colts on the board in the blink of an eye.
Luck is not able to do whatever he wants whenever he wants, but he has abilities most quarterbacks in the NFL do not, and the NFL has sorely missed his presence over the past couple of seasons.
With Luck returning to the lineup ‘pain-free’, there’s once again a reason for optimism in the house Manning built.
Luck is not the sole reason, either.
The Colts lucked out (no pun intended) when Josh McDaniels rescinded his decision to accept their offer to become the newest head coach of the team.
With McDaniels and his ego out of the picture, the Colts were able to pair one of the top talent evaluators in the business in Chris Ballard with new head coach Frank Reich, the offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Reich’s work with the Eagles is certainly notable, and implementing his system with the talent on the Colts’ roster — led by Luck, of course — gives this team a chance to compete again in 2018.
Not only to compete on a weekly basis, but this team with a healthy Luck and Reich’s offensive innovations can compete to win the AFC South, and maybe more.
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They have the best quarterback in the division. They also made some huge upgrades to their offensive line this offseason.
With Luck running the show, their offensive weaponry gets a boost across the board.
Luck’s presence can make Eric Ebron look like the steal of free agency, and Marlon Mack into a thousand-yard back. It also brings T.Y. Hilton back into relevance.
The Colts’ new-look offense with improved protection up front and better execution across the board makes this team one to watch in 2018.