Indianapolis Colts: 5 reasons they’re Super Bowl contenders

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Dewey McDonald (31) celebrates after tackling Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker (83) on a punt return during the NFL divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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December 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) runs the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Levi /

Added Frank Gore in the backfield

The Indianapolis Colts haven’t had a 1,000 yard running back since Joseph Addai nudged past the mark with 1,072 in 2007. The next highest totals were Vic Ballard in 2012 (814) and Joseph Addai in 2009 (828).

Frank Gore has only missed 1,000 yards twice in his 10 years in the NFL and is coming off a 1,103 yard season with the San Francisco 49ers, who have apparently decided they don’t like winning playoff games, coaches who can help them win playoff games or running backs who can carry an offense.

Gore has done most of this without the benefit of a tremendous quarterback, though Colin Kaepernick has had some solid moments. He’s also good for over 100 yards in receiving over the course of 16 games and can block as well.

Andrew Luck has been able to throw for over 3,800 yards a year over the first three seasons of his career and managed 4,761 yards, 40 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions last year with Trent Richardson’s 519 yards representing the lead yardage total from the backfield. Nobody takes the Colts’ run game seriously.

Or they didn’t. Now they will.

Gore is going to make life a lot easier for this offense as defensive players can no longer key on Andrew Luck and the passing game. If a team wants to stop Luck, they will get burned by Gore. Consequently, when they shift to box up Gore, Luck will cut them to pieces.

On top of that, the Colts will have the ability to grind the clock either to kill time with a lead or to slow down an opposing offense which is rolling.

Gore is going to give the Colts offense a versatility it hasn’t had in a long time.

Once they get into the playoffs, this could be huge. Don’t like the way Tom Brady is marching down the field? Have him cool off on the bench by grinding some clock between the tackles. Holding a thin lead over Peyton Manning and the Broncos? Salt away the clock with Gore before punching it in the end zone.

Having Gore is going to have a huge impact on the Colts’ ability to reach—and win—a Super Bowl.

Next: Improved defense

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