2015 Record: 8-8-0
Head Coach: Chuck Pagano
New Faces for 2016 - RB Robert Turbin, CB Patrick Robinson, QB Scott Tolzien, RB Jordan Todman
OFFENSE: Andrew Luck is back at quarterback after an injury plagued 2015 in which he was limited to half the season while passing for 1,881 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Scott Tolzien comes over from Green Bay to serve as the backup.
Frank Gore, entering his 12th season in the league is back after going for 967 yards last year (3.7 ypc average) and scoring six touchdowns.
Robert Turbin adds depth, though he played very sparingly with Dallas last season. Rookie Josh Ferguson (Illinois) and Jordan Todman are also in camp competing for a spot in the backfield.
The receivers include T.Y. Hilton (69 receptions for 1,124 yards and five TD), Donte Moncrief (64, 733, six TD), Phillip Dorsett, Quan Bray and tight ends Dwayne Allen (16, 109, one TD) and Jack Doyle.
DEFENSE: Kendall Langford (seven QB sacks), David Parry and Arthur Jones form the front line on the 3-4 defense while D'Qwell Jackson and Nate Irving (inside) combine with Erik Walden and ageless Robert Mathis on the outside for the linebackers. Mathis is entering his 14th season and shows no signs of slowing down after getting seven QB sacks last year.
The secondary has Patrick Robinson and Vontae Davis (four interceptions) at cornerback while Mike Adams (five picks, one for a TD) and Clayton Geathers play the safety positions.
OUTLOOK: The Colts suffered through a rough 2015 season with QB Andrew Luck missing half the season with injuries, but Head Coach Chuck Pagano was granted a reprieve and is optimistic the team will have a big comeback season.
The running game needs to improve after finishing 29th in the NFL, averaging just 90 yards per game last season. Frank Gore is getting up in years and the team can't rely on him suddenly getting back to where he was a decade ago. The passing game should be fine as long as Luck is healthy and receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief form a great tandem.
The defense has to improve after finishing in the bottom third of the league against both the run and pass. The Colts allowed 379 yards per game, including 257 yards through the air while getting just 35 sacks. they also allowed 25.5 points per game, which ranked 25th overall.
A return to the playoffs is not out of the question, but only if Luck is back to form and the defense shows improvement coming off a difficult 2015 season. Houston and Jacksonville will make it tough for the Colts to return back to the top of the AFC South division this year.
Fearless forecast - 9-7 this year
2016 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Detroit
Week 2 - at Denver
Week 3 - vs. San Diego
Week 4 - at Jacksonville (London, England)
Week 5 - vs. Chicago
Week 6 - at Houston
Week 7 - at Tennessee
Week 8 - vs. Kansas City
Week 9 - at Green Bay
Week 10 - BYE
Week 11 - vs. Tennessee
Week 12 - vs. Pittsburgh
Week 13 - at NY Jets
Week 14 - vs. Houston
Week 15 - at Minnesota
Week 16 - at Oakland
Week 17 - vs. Jacksonville
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