NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts

After so many seasons of dominance in the AFC South, Al Dannity says this is the year when the Colts will fall.

The players
The Colts finished 2010 looking like a team that need shaking up after a stuttering run to the post-season. With just five picks in the draft, free agency offered Indianapolis an opportunity to refresh their roster. Instead they made no moves of note and enter 2011 with plenty of questions to answer.

Peyton Manning remains the unquestioned leader of the franchise and that won’t change until he hangs up his cleats. He got exactly zero help in adding to his arsenal from the draft but the Colts made a couple of moves to improve his protection. Anthony Costanzo should prove an immediate upgrade on the offensive line for the Colts, with the Boston College lineman possessing the talent to be a top tier left tackle in the NFL. Ben Ijalana, another lineman, is more of an unknown quantity. Having won a national title at FCS level with Villanova, Ijalana is more of work in progress than Costanzo but has the potential to contribute. NFL betting fans should closely monitor his progress.

Mark your calendar
The Colts have three big tests in the first month of the season. They face road trips to Houston and Tampa Bay as well as a visit from the Steelers in the opening four weeks. Week 7 sees a re-match of their epic Super Bowl clash with the Saints while the Falcons pay a visit in Week 9.

The bye doesn’t come until Week 11, leaving Indianpolis with a sprint to the finish as they look for yet another post-season berth. Back to back trips to New England and Baltimore should ensure it’s a rocky road to the finishing post. The Week 16 date at home to the Texans could have massive implications for deciding the division as well.

The verdict
The Colts are up against it this season. They have a tough schedule and finally look to be losing their grip on the AFC South. Winning divisional games will be vital and they need to at least split the series with Houston if they are to remain top of the pile. Even that might not be enough as I see this finally being the year the Colts’ streak of double-digit wins comes to an end. Indianapolis should still post a winning record but 9-7 might not be enough to make the post-season this year.