2016 Season Record - 8-8-0
Head Coach - Chuck Pagano
Offensive Rank - 10th (364 yards per game, 25.7 points scored per game)
Defensive Rank - 30th (383 yards allowed per game, 24.5 points allowed per game)
Quarterback Andrew Luck is coming off shoulder surgery following last season, when he passed for 4,240 yards with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Backing him up (or possibly starting if Luck isn't quite ready for the season) is Scott Tolzien. The running game has Frank Gore (1,025 yards and four TD) back again along with Robert Turbin (164 yards and seven TD) and rookie Marlon Mack (South Florida).
The wide receivers are led by T.Y. Hilton (91 receptions for 1,448 yards and six TD) and a training camp battle for the other starting spot between Phillip Dorsett (33, 528, two TD), Donte Moncrief (30, 307, seven TD) and former Baltimore Raven Kamar Aiken, who had 29 catches for 328 yards. The tight ends are Jack Doyle (59, 584, five TD) and Erik Swoope.
Many changes abound for the defense as seven players left the Colts from last year's team while eight new faces will be on the defense for the 2017 season, including DT Johnathan Hankins, LB Jon Bostic, DE Margus Hunt, NT Al Woods and rookies Malik Hooker (safety- Ohio State), Tarell Basham (DE- Ohio) and cornerback Quincy Wilson (Florida). Darius Butler is the returning safety who had three interceptions last season.
OUTLOOK FOR 2017 - Obviously, a lot hinges on the health of QB Andrew Luck, who has done very little football activity following off-season shoulder surgery. Improving the running game (102 yards per game a year ago) would also be a big boost. If Luck is back to his old form, it may be enough for the team to challenge Tennessee and Houston for the AFC South title.
There are far too many questions on the defensive side of the football as the season nears. The Colts have to fill the gaps with the new players taking over this season. If the defense (ranked 30th in 2016) can fit together quickly, the Colts will be in business.
Head Coach Chuck Pagano survived the firing line last off-season and will be looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time in three years. Another .500 finish (or worse) likely will not cut it this time around. That may very well happen as a 7-9 finish appears to be in order this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at LA Rams
Week Two - vs. Arizona
Week Three - vs. Cleveland
Week Four - at Seattle
Week Five - vs. San Francisco
Week Six - at Tennessee
Week Seven - vs. Jacksonville
Week Eight - at Cincinnati
Week Nine - at Houston
Week Ten - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - vs. Tennessee
Week Thirteen - at Jacksonville
Week Fourteen - at Buffalo
Week Fifteen - vs. Denver
Week Sixteen - at Baltimore
Week Seventeen - vs. Houston
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