Indianapolis Colts season prediction: Best and worst case scenario for 2022

Welcome to FanSided’s 2022 NFL preview! It’s time to look into our crystal soccer and take a glimpse on the Indianapolis Colts season prediction.`

It’s been virtually twenty years for the reason that Colts secured the franchise’s fourth NFL title by way of a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Tremendous Bowl XLI. The workforce received again to the “Huge Sport” in 2009 however Peyton Manning and firm got here up quick in opposition to the New Orleans Saints. There was the temporary Andrew Luck Period which peaked with an AFC title sport look in 2014.

However that’s additionally the final time the workforce received a division title. There have been the occasional playoff appearances but it surely’s a membership that hasn’t been in a position to string these collectively. This offseason, common supervisor Chris Ballard orchestrated a commerce for quarterback Matt Ryan. He additionally made some key defensive additions. And this seems to be essentially the most proficient workforce within the AFC South.

Indianapolis Colts 2021 season in evaluation

• 9-8 file
• 2nd place in AFC South
• Did not qualify for playoffs

Issues didn’t begin out nicely for Frank Reich’s new-look Colts, who would function a unique beginning quarterback in Week 1 for the fifth consecutive yr. Former Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft selection Carson Wentz was reunited with Reich hoping to show round his profession. However the workforce misplaced its first three video games to the Seahawks, Rams and rival Titans, respectively.

Finally, the workforce would hit its stride and the offense can be carried by second-year working again Johnny Taylor, who led the NFL in carries (332), speeding yards (1,811) and whole yards from scrimmage (2.171). He and Chargers’ working again Austin Ekeler tied for the NFL lead with 20 whole touchdowns. And the surging Colts would win 9 of their subsequent 12 video games.

So with a 9-6 file and two video games remaining, the workforce appeared primed to return to the playoffs for a second consecutive yr. Nonetheless, the Colts couldn’t cease the visiting Raiders late within the sport and fell, 23-20. And Reich’s workforce failed to point out up at Jacksonville in opposition to a workforce that had received simply two video games in 16 tries – scoring a season-low 11 factors in a 15-point loss.

Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft class 2022

• Rd 2: Alec Pierce, WR/Cincinnati
• Rd 3: Jelani Woods, TE/Virginia
• Rd 3: Bernhard Raimann, OT/Central Michigan
• Rd 3: Nick Cross, S/Maryland
• Rd 5: Eric Johnson, DT/Missouri State
• Rd 6: Andrew Ogletree, TE/Youngstown State
• Rd 6: Curtis Brooks, DT/Cincinnati
• Rd 7: Rodney Thomas, S/Yale

For the third time in 4 years, the franchise had no choice on the opening night time of the draft. That was because of the truth that common supervisor Chris Ballard traded for then-Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz in 2021. And since the younger signal-caller performed a minimum of 75 % of the snaps this previous season, the conditional selection grew to become a first-round choice.

The Colts despatched Wentz and two draft selections this yr to Washington for 3 picks (together with a conditional choice in 2023). Ballard bolstered the workforce’s extensive receiving corps with College of Cincinnati standout Alec Pierce. He additionally made three picks within the third spherical, together with tight finish Jelani Woods and sort out Bernhard Raimann, who may wind up a starter early on.

Previewing Colts offense for 2022 season

• Key offseason additions
  • Matt Ryan, QB
  • Alec Pierre, WR
  • Bernhard Raimann, OT
• Largest X-Issue: WR Parris Campbell
• Squeakiest Wheel: Mo Alie-Cox

The workforce has a brand new quarterback (once more) in 14-year veteran Matt Ryan. He comes off a so-so season through which he hit on 67.0 % of his passes for 3,968 yards, 20 landing passes and a dozen interceptions. However he put the ball on the bottom 11 instances (shedding 4 fumbles) and was sacked 40 instances. However the four-time Professional Bowler now finds himself with a greater supporting forged.

A yr in the past, the Falcons ranked thirty first in yards per sport on the bottom. Now Ryan joins a membership that not solely completed with the second-most speeding yards however options the NFL’s prime ground-gainer in 2021 in workhorse Jonathan Taylor. Vast receiver Michael Pittman led the workforce in catches and rookie Alec Pierre hopes to make a direct impression. Extra assist is required right here.

Just a few years in the past, Indianapolis’ offensive line was one of many NFL’s prime models. Following the 2020 season, left sort out Anthony Castonzo retired. This yr, unsung proper guard Mark Glowinski signed with the Giants. However star left guard Quenton Nelson stays, as do sound veterans in heart Ryan Kelly and proper sort out Braden Smith. However there could possibly be some early rising pains.

Previewing Colts protection for 2022 season

• Key offseason additions
  • Yannick Ngakoue, DE
  • Stephon Gilmore, CB
  • Rodney McLeod, S
• Largest X-Issue: DE Kwitty Paye
• Squeakiest Wheel: LB Zaire Franklin

There have been a couple of important adjustments when it got here to this facet of the ball. The most important was the departure of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, now the pinnacle coach of the Chicago Bears. One other needed to do with the artist previously often known as linebacker Darius Leonard. The dependable tackling machine and big-player performer now has the nom de guerre of Shaquille Leonard.

The brand new coordinator is veteran coach Gus Bradley, who has actually made the rounds. He inherits a gaggle that not solely contains Leonard however stars in defensive sort out DeForest Buckner and cornerback Kenny Moore II. The Colts relied on takeaways this previous season (33) and solely the Dallas Cowboys had extra (34). Consistency is one thing this group lacked a yr in the past.

Assist is available in what needs to be an improved go rush due to the addition of finish Yannick Ngakoue, obtained by way of commerce from the Raiders for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. The Colts completed with a mediocre 33 sacks a yr in the past. And 2019 NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr Stephon Gilmore bolsters the secondary. Indianapolis allowed 32 scores via the air this previous season.

Indianapolis Colts teaching workers overview

• Head Coach: Frank Reich
• Off. Coordinator: Marcus Brady
• Def. Coordinator: Gus Bradley
• 2023 Head Coach Candidate: Richard Smith

Frank Reich returns for his fifth season because the workforce’s head coach. And as has been very well-documented, he may have yet one more beginning quarterback in Week 1 with the addition of Matt Ryan. Marcus Brady returns for his second yr as offensive coordinator after changing Nick Sirianni in 2021. Gus Bradley takes over for Matt Eberflus, now the Chicago Bears’ head coach.

Indianapolis Colts Awards Watch

There’s little doubt that each working again Jonathan Taylor and quarterback Matt Ryan could possibly be within the NFL MVP sweepstakes. The previous (who received the award with the Falcons in 2016) led the NFL in speeding in 2021 whereas the veteran signal-caller continues to place up spectacular numbers as he climbs up the all-time passing charts.

RB Jonathan Taylor, MVP

It’s been a quarterback award for essentially the most half. However there was the occasional exception and it may rely on the type of numbers second-year working again Jonathan Taylor places up. He led the NFL in speeding a yr in the past with 1,811 yards (18 TDs), completed with a league-best 2,171 yards from scrimmage and tied for the NFL landing lead with 20 visits to the top zone.

S Nick Cross, Defensive Rookie of the Yr

Basic supervisor Chris Ballard has discovered his share of gems exterior of the primary spherical of the draft. Security Nick Cross was the second of two third-round draft selections in April and determine to see loads of motion in new Colts’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system. The Stanford product completed the preseason with seven whole tackles (4 solo) and one go defensed.

WR Alec Pierce, Offensive Rookie of the Yr

In 2021, Michael Pittman led the workforce with 88 catches and in addition paced the Colts in receiving yards (1,082) and scoring grabs (6). However the Colts didn’t carry again veteran T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal signed with the Eagles and Parris Campbell’s profession has been affected by accidents. Alec Pierce caught 52 passes for 884 yards and eight scores in his last yr with the Bearcats.

Largest sport on Indianapolis Colts schedule

The Colts open with visits to Houston and Jacksonville. The membership has not crushed the Jaguars on the highway since 2014. Nevertheless it’s the Week 4 conflict with the reigning AFC South champion Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium that’s key. A yr in the past, Frank Reich’s membership managed a 3-3 file inside the division. A season in the past, Tennessee swept the Colts a yr in the past for the primary time since 2017.

Indianapolis Colts season prediction: Greatest case situation

Frank Reich’s workforce will get off to a robust begin and takes care of enterprise in opposition to its AFC South rivals. The workforce performs 5 divisional video games within the first seven weeks of 2022, together with a pair with each the Jaguars and Titans – the latter winners of the AFC South the previous two seasons. Reich’s membership wins 4 of these video games and it permits to membership to construct a bit early momentum.

Indianapolis Colts season prediction: Worst case situation

Indianapolis nonetheless options one of many higher offensive traces within the league but it surely’s a unique unit that dominated for years. Any drop-off on this space could possibly be a detriment to working again Jonathan Taylor in addition to veteran quarterback Matt Ryan. If the Colts end 3-3 inside the division for the second straight yr it may put a critical crimp in reaching the postseason.

Indianapolis Colts season prediction for 2022

• 11-6 file
• 1st place in AFC South
• Playoff Prediction: Attain AFC Championship Sport

Whereas the rival Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars as soon as once more have new head coaches and the Tennessee Titans misplaced some key gamers to free company, trades and damage, the Colts seem like essentially the most proficient workforce within the division. Matt Ryan brings much more expertise and consistency than Carson Wentz, Jonathan Taylor has emerged as a star and the protection bears watching this season. Final yr’s membership dug itself an early gap after which got here up quick the ultimate two weeks.

The Colts ought to win a division title and will likely be a really harmful workforce within the playoffs.

Learn extra from FanSided’s 2022 NFL Preview right here. For extra Indianapolis Colts protection, take a look at Horseshoe Heroes.