Realistic expectations for the 2018 Colts

[CR91]

I am gonna to write a couple of different scenarios of what imo will be the 2018 colts

 

Andrew misses no games 10-6 wildcard team

 

CIN vs IND W

IND VS WAS W

IND VS PHI L

HOU VS IND W

IND VS NE L

IND VS NYJ W

BUF VS IND W

OAK VS IND L

JAX VS IND W

TEN VS IND W

MIA VS IND W

IND VS JAX L

IND VS HOU L

DAL VS IND L

NYG VS IND W

IND VS TEN W

 

Colts start the season strong in the first half of the season starting 3-1, falling alittle going 2-2 to get to 5-3 at the halfway point, getting 3 straight wins to get us 8-3 only to hit a tough stretch and fall to 8-6, but win our last two games to get the last playoff spot. 

 

Andrew misses 2-6 games 7-9

 

CIN vs IND W

IND VS WAS W

IND VS PHI L

HOU VS IND W

IND VS NE L

IND VS NYJ W

BUF VS IND L

OAK VS IND L

JAX VS IND L

TEN VS IND W

MIA VS IND W

IND VS JAX L

IND VS HOU L

DAL VS IND L

NYG VS IND W

IND VS TEN L

 

Unfortunately without Luck, I don't see us splitting with the jags and we'll lose to the texans and bills, but stay strong with Brissett able keep us competitive until Luck returns  

 

Andrew misses 8 or more games 5-11

 

CIN vs IND W

IND VS WAS L

IND VS PHI L

HOU VS IND L

IND VS NE L

IND VS NYJ W

BUF VS IND L

OAK VS IND L

JAX VS IND L

TEN VS IND W

MIA VS IND W

IND VS JAX L

IND VS HOU L

DAL VS IND L

NYG VS IND W

IND VS TEN L

 

If Luck missing that many games then we will most likely end up with the losing record again, but I think we won't be as bad last year.

 

If the colts make the playoffs, lets do a playoff scenario

 

1.Patriots

2.Jaguars

3.Steelers

4.Chiefs

5.Raiders

6.Colts

 

Unfortunately, we still won't get past the steelers, but we exceed expectations and we continue to build.

[aaron11]

i agree with what you wrote, but im not ready to say what i think is most likely 

 

10-6 might be a little optimistic but its not crazy.  if luck does miss a bunch of games then id think he is nearing the end 

[NewColtsFan]

 

OK.....     I'll play along....

 

I'm in the small camp, OK,  very small camp,  (me)  that thinks that Luck doesn't play until the halfway point of the season,  which this year,  is the Bye Week.

 

So,  I'm predicting that Brissett takes us to 3-5 at the break.    Then Luck takes over and goes 5-3 in the 2nd half which includes 5 of our 6 conference games.

 

We finish 8-8.     And I think by the end of the season we're a team that other teams are taking notice of and are not looking forward to playing in 2019.

 

8-8 in 2018.

 

Likely 10-6, maybe better in 2019.

 

[Hoose]

17 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

OK.....     I"ll play along....

 

I'm in the small camp (me) that thinks that Luck doesn't play until the halfway point of the season,  which this year,  is the Bye Week.

 

So,  I'm predicting that Brissett takes us to 3-5 at the break.    Then Luck takes over and goes 5-3 in the 2nd half which includes 5 of our 6 conference games.

 

We finish 8-8.     And I think by the end of the season we're a team that other teams are taking notice of and are not looking forward to playing in 2019.

 

8-8 in 2018.

 

Likely 10-6, maybe better in 2019.

 

I think Luck plays before that. I don’t disagree that he will have a lot of rust to chip off and might miss the first couple of games. After that, I think he plays. But the Colts’ schedule is tough. If they are 8-8, with a rebounding Luck, that will bode well for 2019. Which is the year everyone will take notice of the Colts again. 2018 is a box of chocolates but the Colts will begin to rebound. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

If Luck starts Week1 and stays healthy, I say 9-7 and final WC spot.

[Jay Kirk]

I wont make predictions to many unknowns but if Lucks healthy and the OL is as good as I think it will be , it will be a great start . 

[Four2itus]

My expectations are a well coached team, solid effort for 60 minutes, schematic identity, and a strong foot forward towards being a perennial contender. 

[coltsfan_canada]

I don't know I have a positive feelings with going with even JB. I think last year he was not that bad even though he was thrown out there too quick. But with improved Line, Coaching staff (I hope so), I think we can be even 9 - 7 with JB. With healthy Andrew well 11 - 5  Remember a lot of the games we lost were in 2nd half. Pacers were last in ranking last year before season in the whole NBA, and ended it at 5th in the EAST. So, never know ANY GIVEN SUNDAY

[ColtsGermany]

I think, depending on how much games Andrew plays, we will go somewhere between 6 - 10 to 8-8. And i would be ok with this. It will take time till everything is working and clicking with the new staff and schemes they install. Even 8-8 would still give us a great draft position next year. 2019 should be the year with a winning record and playoff spot. I'm just hoping to see progression this season and a better playcalling than the last couple seasons. 

[Bravo]

With the schedule the Colts have I am thinking they are an 8 win team. However it is still very early.

 

 

I believe that Brissett could win the Colts 6-8 games even if Andrew Luck didn't play.

 

I really just want to see an improved, competitive, and smart football team/coaching staff this season. The Colts seem to have a bright future.

[Yoshinator]

If Luck is fully healthy, I think we get 8-10 wins and possibly a playoff spot. If Luck is rusty or if Brissett plays, we're a 5-6 win team. 

 

For this year, I want to see Luck prove he's back to 100% and the rookies to take some steps forward. A solid O-Line would be a huge positive, as well as an improved run game. We also need to improve the pass rush. Figure out who from this draft class and who else on the team can rush the QB and build around them. Leonard, Turay, and Lewis are 3 nice building blocks, hopefully they work out. 

 

Lot of potential on this team already, lets hope the new coaching staff can bring out the best in this team. A playoff appearance would bring new hope for 2019, especially when we have another draft with extra picks again to continue building through the draft.

[Jaredfor3]

With Luck, we will contend for that number 6 seed. 

 

 

[Jaredfor3]

5 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

OK.....     I"ll play along....

 

I'm in the small camp (me) that thinks that Luck doesn't play until the halfway point of the season,  which this year,  is the Bye Week.

 

So,  I'm predicting that Brissett takes us to 3-5 at the break.    Then Luck takes over and goes 5-3 in the 2nd half which includes 5 of our 6 conference games.

 

We finish 8-8.     And I think by the end of the season we're a team that other teams are taking notice of and are not looking forward to playing in 2019.

 

8-8 in 2018.

 

Likely 10-6, maybe better in 2019.

 

NewColtsfan,

 

if Luck misses ample time to start the season and that was expected, then why not draft QB Sam Darnold with the number three overall pick that we had? 

[Yoshinator]

29 minutes ago, Jaredfor3 said:

NewColtsfan,

 

if Luck misses ample time to start the season and that was expected, then why not draft QB Sam Darnold with the number three overall pick that we had? 

This is the reason why I believe Luck will be healthy for the start of the season. He may be rusty, but he'll still start week 1 IMO. This FO can be incompetent, but it can't be so bad that they would miscalculate Luck's health again to the point where they'd miss out on a possible franchise QB like Darnold in the NFL Draft if Luck was done. For now, I think Luck will be healthy until proven otherwise. If Luck does miss another season, then the blame spreads from Irsay to Ballard also for not drafting a QB, and I will not watch any Colts games this season. I understand one time being wrong, but you would have an extra year to prepare for a Luck injury this time, including a top 3 pick to draft a new franchise QB if Luck was done. No excuses this time. Luck has to be healthy or I'm finding something else to do on Sundays.

[Smonroe]

1 hour ago, Jaredfor3 said:

NewColtsfan,

 

if Luck misses ample time to start the season and that was expected, then why not draft QB Sam Darnold with the number three overall pick that we had? 

 

Probably because they haven’t quite perfected that time machine.  

[stitches]

Most of it hinges on Luck and his health. I think our offense will surprise a lot of people if Luck is healthy. I think it will be a lock for top 10 in the league and a record of about 8-10 wins. If he's not healthy I can see a similar season to what we just had - 4-6 wins. 

[Lucky Colts Fan]

3 hours ago, Jared Cisneros said:

and I will not watch any Colts games this season.

 

Luck has to be healthy or I'm finding something else to do on Sundays.

 

You posted something like this in another thread.

 

This is why fans around the league think Colts fans are spoiled brats that only watch the NFL because we had Peyton Manning and now have Andrew Luck.

 

With this attitude, you wouldn't last one season as a Browns fan. 

[Yoshinator]

11 minutes ago, Lucky Colts Fan said:

 

You posted something like this in another thread.

 

This is why fans around the league think Colts fans are spoiled brats that only watch the NFL because we had Peyton Manning and now have Andrew Luck.

 

With this attitude, you wouldn't last one season as a Browns fan. 

I don't mind rooting for a team that has a losing record. I mind getting led on a wild goose chase. I watch the NFL to have a good time with friends and chat with like-minded people with a similar team interest on this forum. This is not a required job to live. If the FO doesn't do their job and make sure Luck is either healthy or takes the proper insurance to back him up in the draft, I have no interest in watching another losing season. I have my limits, and I have no interest in watching something that I know the outcome too, when something could of been done to keep us winning. I still think Luck will play as of now, but if not, I can have more fun at a casino every Sunday with my friends or father then watch Brissett start at QB for 16 weeks. I just expect Irsay and Ballard to be correct about Luck's health since they didn't draft a QB this year. As long as they are right, I have no issues with anything.

[LockeDown]

Our coach just won the Super Bowl wiith good line play and a back up QB and it was exciting.  Our team is being built the same way.  It should be fun to watch even if JB has to play. 

[BProland85]

17 minutes ago, LockeDown said:

Our coach just won the Super Bowl wiith good line play and a back up QB and it was exciting.  Our team is being built the same way.  It should be fun to watch even if JB has to play. 

 

While I agree Indy’s OL is well on their way to being great...their defense has a little ways to go to get to Philly’s level. They need their dominant DT like they have in Cox. Hopefully Ballard addresses that round 1 next draft with how good the class is. 

[Yoshinator]

16 minutes ago, LockeDown said:

Our coach just won the Super Bowl wiith good line play and a back up QB and it was exciting.  Our team is being built the same way.  It should be fun to watch even if JB has to play. 

It's being built the same way yes, but none of our draft picks that we drafted towards that image have hit or become stars yet. As of now, we are a poor man's Eagles with pieces that have the potential to make us as good, and a QB that can put us over the top. I guess I'm lower on Brissett than most here. His ceiling is Bortles to me. We need Luck to get us over the top, especially at this point when these rookies are just learning the ropes. The Eagles had all-stars on the lines when they won the SB and beat the Pats.

[a06cc]

With Luck I don’t think we lose any AFC South games.

[dodsworth]

27 minutes ago, a06cc said:

With Luck I don’t think we lose any AFC South games.

Jags

[Fisticuffs111]

I think we come out kind of struggling considering the first half of our schedule. Even if Luck’s playing week 1. There’s so many new parts, coaches, system, and so many rookie and 2nd year guys.

 

I think we end up with anywhere from 6-9 wins. Just really depends on how Luck looks, progresses, and if he can stay healthy.

[PrincetonTiger]

1 hour ago, Lucky Colts Fan said:

 

You posted something like this in another thread.

 

This is why fans around the league think Colts fans are spoiled brats that only watch the NFL because we had Peyton Manning and now have Andrew Luck.

 

With this attitude, you wouldn't last one season as a Browns fan. 

Would not have survived the 80s or early 90s

[PrincetonTiger]

6 minutes ago, Fisticuffs111 said:

I think we come out kind of struggling considering the first half of our schedule. Even if Luck’s playing week 1. There’s so many new parts, coaches, system, and so many rookie and 2nd year guys.

 

I think we end up with anywhere from 6-9 wins. Just really depends on how Luck looks, progresses, and if he can stay healthy.

It is always rough with 2 New Schemes and coaching but I am hoping for the upper end

[Boiler_Colt]

I think it's still way to early for any sort of predictions. We haven't seen these new guys play yet and as of today Brissett is the starting QB. While we all hope the new coaching staff is better, none of them have proven it yet. This time last year there were posters saying that Tolzien could lead the team to a 9-7 record because the D was so much better and the O-line was fixed.

[aaron11]

6 hours ago, Jaredfor3 said:

NewColtsfan,

 

if Luck misses ample time to start the season and that was expected, then why not draft QB Sam Darnold with the number three overall pick that we had? 

no one knows for sure what lucks future will be

 

taking a QB there would have been a big risk in the case luck does come back healthy 

 

plus we traded for brissett last year, i guess hes not the answer you are looking for 

[NewColtsFan]

6 hours ago, Jaredfor3 said:

NewColtsfan,

 

if Luck misses ample time to start the season and that was expected, then why not draft QB Sam Darnold with the number three overall pick that we had? 

Because the Colts still believe Luck will eventually come back and be a very good QB.    No need to draft a top QB when you already have one.    A half a season is insignificant.

 

Also, the team is very confident that Jacoby Brissett can improve upon last year.   The staff believes in Brissett.

 

So again, no need to waste a high pick on another young QB.

 

Note:   You appear to be new...    just wanted to say welcome and hope you enjoy the site!       

 

[PrincetonTiger]

2 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

Because the Colts still believe Luck will eventually come back and be a very good QB.    No need to draft a top QB when you already have one.    A half a season is insignificant.

 

Also, the team is very confident that Jacoby Brissett can improve upon last year.   The staff believes in Brissett.

 

So again, no need to waste a high pick on another young QB.

 

Not sure any of the QBs taken early will be ready by week 1

[a06cc]

1 hour ago, dodsworth said:

Jags

I’m not to worried about them. They’re defense has been figured out. They’re not good against the run and it sets up the play action. Over the course of the playoffs you seen the amount of points they gave up.

[Nesjan3]

We had a thread almost identical to this right after the draft and i will post exactly what i posted there on here.

With a healthy Luck we can compete with any team on the schedule and go anywhere from 8-8 to 12-4, if Brissett ends up starting the majority of the season we will likely be anywhere from 8-8 to 2-14.

[Creekside]

Team success depends less on Luck and more on everything else: O-line. Run game. Defense. Special teams. Coaching. Schemes. Play calling.

 

Brissett can get the job done IF HE HAS A GOOD TEAM.

[Str8himalaya]

My expectations aren't really tied to wins/losses this year. I am very hopeful Luck will be back to his old self by week 6 or so. I do expect much improved offensive line play, an athletic defense (relatively speaking), and much improved game planning and team identity. I do feel we will be disciplined and Reich and company will hold people accountable. Here are a few minor things I have high expectations for:

 

- I expect Malik Hooker to be healthy and cement himself (prove) as one of the best young safeties in the league this year

- I expect TJ Green to finally play close to his athletic potential. I feel he will find a niche with the this scheme.

- I expect an uptempo offense and an attacking defense

- I expect to struggle in the first 6 games of the season

- I expect to be competitive in each game we play

- I expect some surprises coming out of training camp with roster moves

[ColtsBlueFL]

7 hours ago, Jaredfor3 said:

NewColtsfan,

 

if Luck misses ample time to start the season and that was expected, then why not draft QB Sam Darnold with the number three overall pick that we had? 

 

Because we might need a backup to Brissett, not a replacement for Luck.  ( I do not believe in Kaaya, sorry). Right now, it is still anticipated Luck will resume his spot as franchise QB of the Colts. Nobody is sure exactly when though. The lack of action regarding QB means (either or both) Luck should be back sooner rather than later if all keeps going smooth, they believe Kaaya is good enough to hand off and occasionally toss a short pass if JB has to start and at some point gets hurt.

 

1 hour ago, Fisticuffs111 said:

I think we come out kind of struggling considering the first half of our schedule. Even if Luck’s playing week 1. There’s so many new parts, coaches, system, and so many rookie and 2nd year guys.

 

I think we end up with anywhere from 6-9 wins. Just really depends on how Luck looks, progresses, and if he can stay healthy.

 

I typically don'r make predictions and won't here. But it is hard to debate your position.

[aaron11]

35 minutes ago, egg said:

Brissett can get the job done IF HE HAS A GOOD TEAM.

i agree, but im not convinced we have that

 

we are counting on rookies and second year guys to make a name for themselves 

[a06cc]

I believe we finally have a starting offensive line. We brought in vets to compete with rookies. To me it doesn’t matter who is back there. They’ll finally have time to throw. 

[HectorRoberts]

16-0 Super Bowl champs! Andrew Luck is mvp Mack leads the league in yards, hooker is defensive player of the year Lenard is defensive rookie of the year Cain is offensive rookie of the year and Tom Brady stars to play like his age! That seems as realistic as it gets!

[Matthew Gilbert]

2 hours ago, a06cc said:

I’m not to worried about them. They’re defense has been figured out. They’re not good against the run and it sets up the play action. Over the course of the playoffs you seen the amount of points they gave up.

Wait, what? The Jags more than tightened up their run defense at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Here's their last four games and total rushing against:

 

Week 17- Lost to Tenn 15-10 and gave up 116 rushing yards

 

Wildcard- Win against Buf 10-3 and gave up 130 rushing yards

 

Divisional- Win against Pitt 45-42 and gave up 83 rushing yards

 

AFC Ship- Lost to NE 24-20 and gave up 46 rushing yards

 

The Jags defense might be one of those great generational type defenses. They are great at all three levels and I hate the fact that we have to play them twice a year. Yes, we always play them twice a year but in years past they didn't have this type of defense.

[a06cc]

28 minutes ago, Matthew Gilbert said:

Wait, what? The Jags more than tightened up their run defense at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Here's their last four games and total rushing against:

 

Week 17- Lost to Tenn 15-10 and gave up 116 rushing yards

 

Wildcard- Win against Buf 10-3 and gave up 130 rushing yards

 

Divisional- Win against Pitt 45-42 and gave up 83 rushing yards

 

AFC Ship- Lost to NE 24-20 and gave up 46 rushing yards

 

The Jags defense might be one of those great generational type defenses. They are great at all three levels and I hate the fact that we have to play them twice a year. Yes, we always play them twice a year but in years past they didn't have this type of defense.

Steelers had to abandon the run. Patriots drafted a RB. They aren’t good against the run. They finished 19th. Those stats you put up would tell you so. They also had a hard time maintaining a lead. They got figured out. I’m not worried about them at all. 49ers put out the balanced attack blue point