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NFL: 7 biggest surprises through Week 2

By Bryce Olin

Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Billy Winn (90) and guard Joel Bitonio (75) celebrate after Billy Cundiff (not pictured) kicked the game winning field goal to defeat the New Orleans Saints 26-24 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Billy Winn (90) and guard Joel Bitonio (75) celebrate after Billy Cundiff (not pictured) kicked the game winning field goal to defeat the New Orleans Saints 26-24 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) fumbles the ball after being hit by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) during the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Eagles won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) fumbles the ball after being hit by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) during the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Eagles won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Indianapolis Colts: The Perks of Being a First-Place Team Last Season

In the NFL, first-place teams from the prior season play a first-place schedule the next season, meaning they play a much tougher schedule than the fourth-place team in their division. It’s how the NFL accounts for the discrepancy between games and the number of NFL teams. Obviously, there’s more NFL teams than there are games on the schedule. Therefore, the NFL has to make a way to even playing field. The good teams play the good teams; the bad teams play the bad teams. That’s just how it goes.

Unfortunately for the Indianapolis Colts, they’ve faced former playoff teams from last season and two of the best teams in the league in their first two games, the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles.

While the Colts didn’t lose by much and had opportunities to win each game, the Colts failed to get the job done and are now 0-2.

It’s not necessarily a surprise; the Broncos and Eagles are both really good teams. The road back to the playoffs gets much tougher for the Indianapolis Colts, who face the Jaguars and Titans the next two weeks. The Colts should bounce back to 2-2 before a three-game stretch against the Ravens, Texans, and Bengals that will most definitely decide their season. If the Colts get to four losses before Week 7, it’s going to be difficult to make the playoffs.

It’s not as simple as equating their two losses to playing against two good teams. The Colts have some major areas of concern that I don’t see getting much better without some drastic changes.

First of all, the Colts can’t generate a pass rush without blitzing. The Colts desperately need edge-rusher Robert Mathis, who was currently suspended for taking a banned substance but then tore his Achilles while training. He will miss the entire season. In the first two games, the Colts have only generated one sack. That’s simply not good enough with a secondary that needs help as it is.

The Colts’ defense also can’t cover tight ends. Broncos’ tight end Julius Thomas went bonkers in Week 1 against the Colts with seven catches for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Eagles, the Colts allowed Zach Ertz to rack up 86 yards on four catches, including a 24-yard dagger that moved the Eagles into field goal position with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, the Colts should be fine, but the defense is a huge problem right now. If they can’t get it squared up, I don’t see the Colts doing anything, even if they make the playoffs.

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