The Indianapolis Colts are coming off of a season that saw them miss the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years, but many analysts and experts believe a better result is on the horizon.
Assuming the 2020 season goes relatively according to plan amid the COVID-19 pandemic, most expect the Colts to improve after an offseason full of upgrades.
Bleacher Report has the Colts finishing with a 9-7 record and tied for the top spot in the division.
Super Bowl Odds: 25-1
What version of new quarterback Philip Rivers are the Colts going to get in 2020? Will they get more of the signal-caller who threw for 4,615 yards in 2020 or more of the one who tossed 20 interceptions?
The answer probably lies somewhere between the two.
Expect Rivers to boost the Colts passing attack over last year’s Jacoby Brissett-led unit. Don’t expect him to replicate the passing prowess of a healthy Andrew Luck from two seasons ago. Still, a slight improvement at quarterback may be enough to deliver the AFC South to Indianapolis.
The Colts went 7-9 with an inconsistent Brissett and Brian Hoyer under center last season. They have a strong rushing attack that was bolstered by the second-round selection of Jonathan Taylor and a 16th-ranked defense that will be strengthened by the trade for DeForest Buckner.
Frank Reich has proved himself a capable head coach during his two seasons with the Colts, and he’ll keep Indianapolis competitive even against superior opponents. While the Colts aren’t likely to be one of the best teams in the AFC, they should be able to steal a game or two from the Houston Texans and potentially take the AFC South along the way.
Prediction: 9-7
According to their latest predictions, this is how the AFC South finishes out:
- Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
- Tennessee Titans (9-7)
- Houston Texans (8-8)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Bleacher Report didn’t go into specifics about who would win the division despite the Colts and Titans having the same projected record.
The Colts have a chance to take the division given the improvements made on both sides of the ball. If the concerns in the secondary aren’t too big of an issue, the Colts should be able to make a run for the top spot in the AFC South.