2019 Record - 7-9-0
Head Coach - Frank Reich
New Players in 2020 - Philip Rivers (QB), DeForest Buckner (DL), Xavier Rhodes (DB), Roosevelt Nix (RB), T.J. Carrie (DB), Trey Burton (TE), Sheldon Day (DL)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - Skai Moore (LB), Rolan Milligan (DB), Marvell Tell (DB)
OFFENSE - Philip Rivers is the Colts new quarterback for the 2020 season after spending 14 seasons as the Chargers starter. Rivers had 4,615 passing yards with 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions last year. In reserve is Jacoby Brissett, the starter for Indianapolis last season. Brissett had 2,942 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions and scored four rushing touchdowns.
The Colts will see Marlon Mack (1,091 yards, 4.4 ypc average and eight touchdowns) and rookie Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) handle the rushing attack. The wide receivers are T.Y. Hilton, who was injured last season and only had 45 receptions for 501 yards and five touchdowns. Paris Campbell (18, 127, one TD), Marcus Johnson (17, 277, two TD) and rookie Michael Pittman, Jr. (USC) are the others wideouts. The tight ends in the fold are Jack Doyle (43, 448, four TD) and Trey Burton, who had 14 receptions in an injury filled 2019 season with Chicago.
The Indianapolis offense ranked 25th overall last season, averaging 327 yards per game and scored 22.6 points per game. The running game averaged 133 YPG while the passing offense went for 194 yards a game.
DEFENSE - The Colts will line up with tackles Denico Autry (3 1/2 QB sacks) and DeForest Buckner (7 1/2 sacks with San Francisco) and ends Justin Houston (eleven sacks) and Kemoko Turay. The linebackers are led by Darius Leonard, who had five sacks and five interceptions, including a "pick six." Anthony Walker mans the middle spot and Bobby Okereke is the other outside linebacker.
In the secondary is Kenny Moore (two interceptions) and Xavier Rhodes (free agent from Minnesota Vikings) at the corners while Malik Hooker (two picks) and Khari Willis play the safety position. Rookie Julian Blackmon (Utah) is a third round pick and will look to contribute along with T.J. Carrie, Rock Ya-Sin, George Odum and Rolan Milligan.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - After a strong start last year, the injuries started to mount for Indianapolis and Head Coach Frank Reich saw his team slip out of playoff contention. Heading into this year, the Colts brought in some big name free agents (Rivers, Buckner, Rhodes) in the hopes it will get them back into the mix with Houston and Tennessee in the rugged AFC South division.
Rivers had a rough year in Los Angeles with the Chargers last season and they didn't re-sign him, so here he is now in Indy looking to rebound and help the Colts get back to the playoffs. The 16-year veteran signal caller has put up some huge numbers throughout his career and as long as his wide receivers are healthy this season, the Colts could have a formidable offense.
Last season, Indianapolis relied on the running game and will likely feature a two-headed monster this season as (rookie) Jonathan Taylor joins Marlon Mack in the backfield. Rivers loves to check down to the backs when his guys are covered, so these players should fit right in with the Colts offensive plans.
The Colts defense was solid against the run a year ago (98 YPG allowed - ranked 7th in NFL) but the pass defense was weak, giving up 249 yards per game (23rd). The Colts allowed 23.3 points per game and finished 16th in total defense, giving up 347 yards per game while also getting 41 QB sacks and 15 interceptions, which led to a plus-two in the turnovers category.
Bringing in Buckner to tag with Justin Houston on the defensive line along with having Leonard and company at the linebacker spots should form a pretty good front seven for the Colts this year. The secondary did get lit up at times in 2019, but they also take chances and so it was either feast or famine when it came to that.
The schedule could be set up for a quick start and then in the second half of the season, the Colts face both Tennessee and Houston twice in the final eight game stretch. The AFC South division title could very well be decided with those four games. If the Colts control their division games, they should get a playoff spot and perhaps even win a division title for the first time in six years.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Jacksonville
Week Two - vs. Minnesota
Week Three - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Four - at Chicago
Week Five - at Cleveland
Week Six - vs. Cincinnati
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - at Detroit
Week Nine - vs. Baltimore
Week Ten - at Tennessee
Week Eleven - vs. Green Bay
Week Twelve - vs. Tennessee
Week Thirteen - at Houston
Week Fourteen - at Las Vegas
Week Fifteen - vs. Houston
Week Sixteen - at Pittsburgh
Week Seventeen - vs. Jacksonville
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