Here’s a look at the team preview for the Indianapolis Colts:
Coaching Staff:
- Head Coach– Frank Reich
- Offensive Coordinator–Nick Sirianni
- Defensive Coordinator– Matt Eberflus
- Special Teams– Bubba Ventrone
ODDS TO WIN:
- AFC Championship- 35/1
- Super Bowl- 40/1
- Over/Under Win Totals- 6
Last 4 Season Win Totals:
- 2014- 13
- 2015- 7
- 2016- 7
- 2017- 4
The Offense
Quarterbacks:
Andrew Luck is their man. The Colts are hopeful he is free of any injury and will return. Jacoby Brissett is the backup and did a fine job in 2017. Miami product Brad Kaaya is third string quarterback.
Running Backs:
Frank Gore is gone. The top returning rusher is Marlon Mack who had 358 yards in 93 carries last year. The previous two years, Robert Turbin has been the short yards and goal line runner, and he will return. Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines will push for work.
Receivers:
T.Y. Hilton grabbed 57 passes last year for 966 yards along with four touchdowns. He was second to tight end Jack Doyle who finished with 690 yards abd four touchdowns on 80 catches. The Colts signed free agent Eric Ebron to help out this unit.
Offensive Linemen:
Quenton Nelson will play left guard, Anthony Castonzo will get left tackle and Ryan Kelly will play center and all were former first round selections. Braden Smith will line up at left guard with a plethora of players pushing to play.
The Defense
Defensive Linemen:
Jobs are available as the Colts move to a 4-3 defense. four returnees include All Woods, Grover Stewart, Hassan Ridgeway, and Caraun Reid. With the change of defesnicbe scheme, where they play on the field is still up in the air A couple of free agent signings, Chris McCain and Denico Autrey will offer Indianapolis lots of options.
Linebackers:
Middle Linebacker is expected to be Najee Goode who was signed last year from the Eagles. John Simon will man the outside linebacker spot and several from the NFL draft will be in the mix on this unit.
Secondary:
Quincy Wilson will start on one side and Pierre Desir will get the other. Cornerback Nate Hairston will return for his second season and safety Malik Hooker is expected back after a knee injury.
Special Teams
Adam Vinatieri made 29-of-34 field goal attempts and will return for 24th season in th eNFL. Punter Rigoberto Sanchez averaged 42.6 net yards per kick returnsand Luke Rhoades does the long snapping for the Colts. The return game is going to be a fight for the position.
The Schedule
(all games Eastern time)
Preseason Schedule:
Thu Aug 9- at Seahawks 10 PM
Sat Aug 20- Ravens HOME 8 PM
Sat Aug 25- 49’ers HOME 4:30 PM
Thu Aug 30- at Bengals 7 PM
Regular Season:
Sunday Sept. 9 Cincinnati Bengals Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Sept. 16 Washington Redskins Away 1:00 pm
Sunday Sept. 23 Philadelphia Eagles Away 1:00 pm
Sunday Sept. 30 Houston Texans Home 1:00 pm
Thursday Oct. 4 New England Patriots Away 8:20 pm
Sunday Oct. 14 New York Jets Away 1:00 pm
Sunday Oct. 21 Buffalo Bills Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Oct. 28 Oakland Raiders Away 4:05 pm
Sunday Nov. 4 BYE WEEK
Sunday Nov. 11 Jacksonville Jaguars Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Nov. 18 Tennessee Titans Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Nov. 25 Miami Dolphins Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Dec. 2 Jacksonville Jaguars Away 1:00 pm
Sunday Dec. 9 Houston Texans Away 1:00 pm
Sunday Dec. 16 Dallas Cowboys Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Dec. 23 New York Giants Home 1:00 pm
Sunday Dec. 30 Tennessee Titans Away 1:00 pm
Other Information
Owner/CEQ- James Isray
General Manager- Chris Ballard
Website- www.colts.com
Stadium- Lucas Oil Stadium (retractable roof)
Capacity-63,000
Surface- FieldTurf
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