The Indianapolis Colts lost in the first round of the 2013 NFL playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens. This season, the Colts believe they can succeed and go further into the playoffs behind newly experienced quarterback Andrew Luck.
The Colts need to figure out their run game as a solid run game that can produce every down is crucial to postseason success. Donald Brown and Vick Ballard will probably be the two players that coaches have to decide between for the starting position, and many think Ballard will be the player who gets the starting job. Indianapolis does not have a top quality running back to go to when Luck isn’t succeeding so either Brown or Ballard has to step their game up for the sake of the team.
However, the Colts are too talented on offense and defense to not have a successful year. Their defense didn’t have a spectacular 2012 season, but they did enough for Indianapolis to hang around in games for Luck to steal the victory. Their wide receiver corps is always fairly solid, and so is their offensive line. Indianapolis will have to work hard, but they should be able to achieve at least what they did last year as they rebuild their team after Peyton Manning’s departure.
The Colts are better all around than they were last season. They have the tools and the drive to win several postseason games. Expect Indianapolis to win at least the first game of the playoffs, but the rest is up to however well Luck plays.