2017 NFL win/loss projections for all 32 teams
By John Buhler
Indianapolis Colts
It’ll have to get worse before it gets better for the Indianapolis Colts. Though they made an outstanding move in replacing former general manager Ryan Grigson with Chris Ballard, the Colts roster is still largely composed of Grigson’s guys and that’s not great. Outside of quarterback Andrew Luck and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, how many stars do the Colts have on their football team?
Not that star power wins ball games, but the Colts have to become more dynamic to hold their own even in their own division. While most general managers would salivate at the thought of Luck on the open market, he hasn’t thrown a football in six months. Delaying surgery on his throwing shoulder was so odd for that to not negatively impact the Colts for the upcoming year.
Drafting safety Malik Hooker in the first round of Ohio State could have landed the Colts his generation’s version of Ed Reed. If he pops as a rookie, give Ballard a ton of credit for making that selection. Keep in mind that he is the guy that convinced his former employer in the Kansas City Chiefs to draft troubled cornerback Marcus Peters out of Washington. That looks to be an amazing move for the Chiefs long-term.
However, few coaches in the NFL have hotter seats than Chuck Pagano. The defensive-minded coach has never seen his Colts win on that side of the ball with great regularity. Owner Jim Irsay has to be furious with how Grigson and Pagano have wasted five years of Luck’s prime. He’s not a kid anymore, as he’ll be 28 this season. It’s time for him to become a bona fide superstar signal caller in this league.
For the Colts, the season comes down to how well Luck plays. If he’s a Pro Bowler, the Colts can go 11-5, win the AFC South and lost in the wild card round. Should he play like he did the last two years, Indianapolis could be in for a rude awakening in an improving AFC South. Frankly, Ballard needs time to change the fortune of the Colts’ formerly lucky horseshoe.
Projected Record: 7-9, Misses AFC Playoffs