2007 Indianapolis Colts Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

More readers will check out our 2007 Colts predictions than any other team. Such is normally the case with a team led by Peyton Manning and also the team that is coming off the Super Bowl title. Even with last year’s success most of the national attention has been on New England and the off-season moves that they made. Most outlets even consider San Diego as the second-best team in the AFC. However, one thing that Tom Brady and Manning have in common is the ability to put the last season behind them and return focus to the task at hand. Indianapolis will be a contender again this year, but with the toughest schedule in the league, it’s not going to be an easy road.

Manning showed that he is the best in the game last season, and with two MVP titles you have to think he isn’t done adding honors to his trophy case. The guy might have been better than ever last year, and you can bet he’s working his tail off to improve for a run at a repeat. The Colts will have to rely more on Joseph Addai this year, who had 1,081 yards on 226 carries a year ago as a rookie since Dominic Rhodes moved on to Oakland. Who will share carries with him is still up in the air. Manning will once again have plenty of down the field targets with two Pro-Bowl receivers in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne along with Dallas Clark at the tight end spot. The Colts spent their top draft pick on Ohio State’s Anthony Gonzalez who should be the primary slot receiver. Needless to say this offense is going to be putting up more than enough points again this season.

Anthony McFarland came in and made an impact at tackle last season as did his partner Raheem Brock. Robert Mathis used to his advantage the constant double-teams placed on Dwight Freeney by racking up a team high 9.5 sacks. Freeney’s numbers were down last year, but he’s looking for a big contract which should translate to a monster year. Linebacker is a question mark after Cato June was signed away by Tampa Bay. Gary Brackett is the only stable force at middle linebacker, but Rob Morris and Freddy Keiaho are going to have to pick up some slack on the outside. The secondary got decimated by free agency with Nick Harper, Jason David, and Mike Doss heading for greener pastures. Bob Sanders is still one of the best strong safeties in the game, when he was out the last couple of years his presence was sorely missed. Antoine Bethea also shores up the safety position, but the team is going to struggle to find able corners.

Indianapolis had a great run to end the season last year, and a great start to the 2005 season when they got out of the gates 14-0. I think they liked how last year ended a little better. Getting to 11 wins doesn’t seem like it’s going to be much of a problem for this team, since they have consistently hit that mark. However, this is the toughest schedule in the league and going to San Diego, Jacksonville, and Baltimore will be difficult, along with homestnads against the Saints, Broncos, and Pats. Still, we are taking the OVER, taking the team to win the division, but we are passing on their chances to win the AFC or Super Bowl. Too many other good teams and not enough value in the numbers below.

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