The Indianapolis Colts have missed the playoffs three straight years and now have a new head coach. Are they capable of getting back to their winning ways?
Once upon a time, the future looked extremely bright for the Indianapolis Colts. Then-head coach Chuck Pagano was at the helm when the team made the playoffs three straight years from 2012-14. But the club as a whole never really progressed and then the injuries to quarterback Andrew Luck began to mount. The first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft missed all of last season with shoulder issues. And a 4-12 season by the team was enough to end the Pagano Era in Indy.
So do the Colts have the right stuff in Frank Reich? This is an organization that has been extremely quiet during free agency.
Here is how the Colts’ complete schedule, week-by-week, lays out:
Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Week 2: at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.
Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Week 4: vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Week 5: at New England Patriots, 8:20 p.m. (TNF)
Week 6: at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Week 8: at Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Week 14: at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Week 16: vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Week 17: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
As previously mentioned, the Colts have not done a lot during free agency. On the other hand, general manager Chris Ballard orchestrated a mid-March trade with the New York Jets and the club now owns four of the top 49 selections in this year’s selection process.
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There is some optimism surrounding this team due to the fact that it appears that Luck is healthy and on the way back. Of course, there’s a long way to go before training camp and the preseason. But if Ballard and the team strike gold in April’s draft, this could once again be a time on the rise.