The season is only two games old, but the Colts have been manhandled twice already. Dating back to last year’s AFC Title game, the Colts have lost their last three games by a combined 92-28. The numbers get even worse.
Andrew Luck has thrown 3 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in that span. The Colts have rushed for 240 yards (80 ypg) and given up 425 yards (141.67 ypg) on the ground. They have made Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Fitzpatrick look like all pros through two games.
The main culprit is the General Manager, Ryan Grigson. The Colts were not one player away, but they were a defense away. Instead, Grigson threw big money at veterans Frank Gore and Andre Johnson. Players who are no longer game changers. Johnson has been useless through two games, and Gore had one of the worst fumbles in recent memory last night turning a sure touchdown into a turnover.
Then, with the 29th pick in the first round, the Colts selected Phillip Dorsett, WR from Miami. Four picks later, the Buccaneers selected Offensive Tackle Donovan Smith, who is already starting on the Tampa Bay offensive line. Everyone knew the Colts line was a mess, but they continued to just acquire more offensive weapons for Andrew Luck. What made that pick especially bad is the fact that at best, Dorsett is the fourth receiver on the Colts. A fact that was known on draft day. TY Hilton, Johnson, and Donte Moncrief are all established and well ahead on the depth chart. To add insult to injury, Dorsett isn’t that good. He caught one ball last night (on six targets) after catching two passes in the season opener. Dorsett was a luxury pick for a team that was not in the market for a luxury player.
That being said, the Colts have nothing to worry about. Check out their slate over the next six weeks. At Tennessee, Jacksonville, at Houston, New England, New Orleans, at Carolina. That’s a 5-1 stretch waiting to happen, with the only loss the inevitable 40 point demolition at the hand of the Patriots. The second half features such stalwarts as Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Miami, and all three division foes again. The only games Indianapolis will be underdogs in are the aforementioned Patriots game, and their trip to Pittsburgh in December.
Even with no running game, no defense, and a quarterback who turns the ball over too much, the Colts will cruise to a 10 plus win season and a division title. That will be good enough to win one playoff game before losing in the second round. That’s their best case scenario. Hopefully next off season the Colts will make an actual effort to protect their franchise quarterback.