SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
10 – 6
2018 RECORD 10– 6
SEP T. 8
@ LAC
SEP T. 15
@ TEN
SEP T. 22
VS. AT L
SEP T. 2 9
VS. OAK
OC T. 6
@ KC
OC T. 1 3
BYE
OC T. 2 0
VS. HOU
OC T. 2 7
VS. DEN
NOV. 3
@ PIT
NOV. 10
VS. MIA
NOV. 17
VS. JAX
NOV. 21
@ HOU
DEC. 1
VS. TEN
DEC. 8
@ TB
DEC. 16
@ NO
DEC. 22
VS. CAR
DEC. 29
@ JAX
secondary and coaching. Anything short of a Super Bowl appearance will feel like a disappointment.70
× INDY IS FINE AT QB. If and when the enig-
matic ankle injury of Andrew Luck heals,
the Colts will have a 30-year-old superstar
quarterback who can make plays late in
the down but also, as he showed last year,
win consistently via quick-strike passes
in coach Frank Reich’s sys-
tem. If Luck is out, the Colts
will rely on football’s best
backup QB, Jacoby Brissett,
a classic big, strong-armed
pocket passer.
× COLTS RECEIVERS
BECOME FANTASY DAR-
LINGS. Reich’s scheme
uses T.Y. Hilton in ways
that help the 183-pounder
avoid press coverage. It also
features vertical routes in
the red zone, particularly
out of trips formations.
In 2018 this helped Eric Ebron lead all
tight ends with 13 touchdowns, and it
now benefits wideout Parris Campbell ,
a speedy second-round rookie from Ohio
State, as well as 6' 4" Devin Funchess,
who underachieved in Carolina but was
coveted by Indianapolis in free agency.
× THE GROUND GAME STABILIZES. Last
year the rushing attack was hit or miss.Indianapolis ran for more than 155 yards
in five of their games (including three
with 200-plus) but finished with fewer
than 70 yards on the ground five times
as well. This year, though, behind the
continued growth of powerful yet nim-
ble interior blockers Quenton Nelson
and Ryan Kelly. The Colts expand their
rushing scheme. This leads to steadier
production from Marlon Mack, Nyheim
Hines and Jordan Wilkins.
× MAT T EBERFLUS BECOMES ONE OF
2020 ’S HOTTEST HEAD COACHING
CANDIDATES. In 2018, his first season
as defensive coordinator, Eberflus’s unit
allowed the fewest points
over the final 10 weeks. A
big reason was the increase
in blitzes from the linebacker
and slot, often in front of
zone coverage (as opposed to
the more common man-to-
man). Those concepts con-
tinue, but the Colts are less
dependent on them, as new
acquisitions Justin Houston
(signed from the Chiefs) and
second-round rookie Ben
Banogu (TCU) provide a
greater edge-rushing threat.
× KENNY MOORE, THE RICHEST SLOT
CORNER IN HISTORY, LOOKS UNDERPAID.
In nickel defense the undrafted third-year
pro from Valdosta (Ga.) State, who signed
a four-year, $36 million contract extension
in June, is a fervid blitzer and ace zone
defender. And, thanks to his long arms
and surprising physicality, he’s also stout
as an outside corner in base situations.WHAT LIES AHEAD
Stre
ngth QB
3RB
17
WR/TE
7
OL
4
FRONT 7
21
DB
8
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ATH
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