Fansided

NFL Playoffs: Five reasons Colts won’t make it

By Randy Gurzi

Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck walks to the locker room at half time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck walks to the locker room at half time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Too much dependence on players past their prime

This can, of course, start with their quarterback Matthew Hasselbeck but that isn’t really the team’s fault there. The intention was to go young with their star Andrew Luck, but an injury plagued season led them to rely on the 40-year old veteran, who has delivered to this point. It would be tough to think he will continue and rack up the wins, especially when he isn’t the only player past his prime they are counting on.

Much praise was heaped on the Colts for their offseason moves to bring in receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore. Sadly though, this was the second of their big offseason mistakes that will cost the team dearly down the stretch.

At 34-years of age, Johnson is a progress stopper for the younger receivers like Dorsett and Hilton, much like he was in Houston for DeAndre Hopkins. As soon as the large shadow he cast was gone, Hopkins absolutely exploded and has become one of the best receivers in the NFL.

Johnson meanwhile has 26 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Despite his limited output, Indy has started him in nine of 11 games this season, way too much dependence on a guy who has a name way bigger than his performance.

Gore hasn’t been as bad of a move, but it was a huge mistake nonetheless. Not only is Gore past his prime at 32-years of age, but he also is a poor fit. The Colts are a finesse team (no matter how much they try to be a power running team) and Gore is not a finesse runner.

Also by having another player who had a name bigger than his production, it kept the team from going for a younger back to really help. Not shockingly, Gore is in the midst of his worst season as a pro. He is averaging less than four yards per attempt for the first time in his career, at just 3.6 yards per carry, and his lowest average per game (59.7 yards per contest) since his rookie season.

The good teams understand that running back is the most interchangeable position in the game. The bad teams overpay for the name, the Colts paid for a name.

Next: #3 All good streaks come to an end

Home/Indianapolis Colts