2017 Record - 4-12-0
Head Coach - Frank Reich
2017 Offensive Ranking - 31st (285 ypg, 16.4 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 30th (367 ypg, 25.2 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - After not playing pro football in nearly two years because of shoulder injuries, Andrew Luck is back as the starting quarterback. Jacoby Brissett was the starter last season, but will now be the reserve quarterback.
The running game will have a new look this year as well. The Colts leading rusher Frank Gore is gone and Marlon Mack is the heir apparent this season. Mack ran for 358 yards in 2017 and scored three touchdowns along with 21 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown. Rookie draft picks Nyheim Hines (N.C. State) and Jordan Wilkins (Mississippi) will get their chances as well.
The top wide receiver is T.Y. Hilton (57 receptions, 966 yards, four TD) and is flanked by Ryan Grant (45, 573, four TD with Washington), Chester Rogers (23, 284, one TD) and tight end Jack Doyle, who led the Colts with 80 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Jabaal Sheard (5 1/2 QB sacks) leads the front seven. Hassan Ridgeway (three sacks), nose tackle Al Woods and linebacker John Simon (three sacks) are other stalwarts on defense. Three rookie draft picks include linebacker Darius Leonard (South Carolina State), DE Tyquan Lewis (Ohio State) and edge rusher Kemoko Turay (Rutgers).
The secondary features corners Quincy Wilson and Kenny Moore along with safeties Malik Hooker (three interceptions) and Matthias Farley, who had two picks.
OUTLOOK - The Colts had a terrible season in 2017 and now look to get back to better days with QB Andrew Luck returning. In addition, new Head Coach Frank Reich comes over from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was Offensive Coordinator for the Super Bowl champions.
If Luck is fully recovered and displays the ability he showed his first four seasons, a quick turnaround could happen. The running game will be dependent on three unproven players, but the passing game has two solid targets in T.Y. Hilton and tight end Jack Doyle.
The defense needs to improve over last year's results as well after finishing 30th overall while getting torched by opposing passing attacks. The Colts had just 13 interceptions and 25 QB sacks a year ago.
The key will be whether Luck can re-ignite the offense while the defense will attempt to allow less scoring. Only two teams allowed more points than Indy did last year.
Playing winning football in the AFC South will be another factor for success. Jacksonville appears to be the team to beat while Tennessee is coming off a playoff appearance as well. The schedule doesn't appear difficult on paper, so if things break the Colts way, perhaps a big turnaround is possible. The outlook this season looks to be a 7-9 finish as they look to rebuild toward the future.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Cincinnati
Week 2 - at Washington
Week 3 - at Philadelphia
Week 4 - vs. Houston
Week 5 - at New England
Week 6 - at NY Jets
Week 7 - vs. Buffalo
Week 8 - at Oakland
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 11 - vs. Tennessee
Week 12 - vs. Miami
Week 13 - at Jacksonville
Week 14 - at Houston
Week 15 - vs. Dallas
Week 16 - vs. NY Giants
Week 17 - at Tennessee
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