Colts Over / Under Season Wins
The Indianapolis Colts finished the 2013 season with an 11-5 record. That was good enough for a spot atop the AFC South Division, and it gave them the sixth-best record in the NFL when it was all said and done.
Over Under Lines
2013 Record: 11-5
2014 Over/Under Win Total: 9.5
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As good as the team has been under Andrew Luck’s leadership, it needs someone else to step up, particularly at wide receiver. When you look at Luck’s numbers from last season, they don’t scream “franchise quarterback.” We know when looking at him that he has the intangibles of a true leader, but his receiving core, not to mention running backs, need to step up to take some of the pressure off of him.
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Step 1 in making that happen was the signing of Hakeem Nicks. He’s certainly not the player who had his best season in 2010, but if he can return to anywhere near that form, he could give Luck a true go-to target on the outside.
Also at receiver you’ve got youngster T.Y. Hilton who is looking to improve upon his 82-catch, five-touchdown season from last year. He’s looking to prove that he’s more than just a deep=ball threat, and that he can become the possession receiver Luck needs both up and down field.
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If this team is going to improve, it’s going to need more production out of Trent Richardson. Having Ahmad Bradshaw off the bench as a crutch is fine, but your starter needs to be able to force the defense’s hand when it’s locking in on the pass game.
Defensively, this team is unfortunately dealing with the suspension of Robert Mathis. He’s only slated to miss four games, but considering the early-season schedule for this group, his presence will be missed, and the hope is that Bjoem Werner just might show some immediate impact.
Where this group will be strong defensively is on the line and at corner. That leaves a few holes around the defense, but guys such as former Baltimore Raven Arthur Jones up front and Vontae Davis on the outside should balance out the defensive attack.
Over/Under Prediction:
The AFC South should be improved this season, but the question is: Will it be improved enough to where the Colts struggle to match their win total from 2013?
The easy answer to that question is: yes. The Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars won’t be as easy to walk over as they were a year ago, and there will be more competitive contests between those organizations and the Colts, who are looking to make the playoffs.
All that said, competitive football doesn’t mean upsets will take place every time. Expect the Colts to exceed their 9.5 O/U prediction, and to earn a spot in the playoffs once the time comes.
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