NFL writer Adam Rank does a game-by-game prediction for the Indianapolis Colts and arrives at a disappointing final record for Indy.
It’s officially prediction season. With most offseason moves behind and final schedules set, the next few months leading up to the NFL season will be filled with predictions. Individual predictions like who will win MVP, and team predictions like who’s raising the Lombardi trophy at the end of the year.
The Indianapolis Colts are hoping they are the team that gets to do that and they’ve made some offseason moves to put themselves in the position to do so. From trading for Matt Ryan and Yannick Ngakoue to signing Stephon Gilmore and drafting talented pass catchers, Indy positioned itself to be better than last year.
However, not everyone believes that will be the case. Recently, Adam Rank from NFL.com did a game-by-game prediction for every NFL team. The final record he landed on for Indianapolis doesn’t match the offseason optimism that the team currently has.
Rank predicts that the Colts finish with a 9-8 record, the same record they had last season that resulted in Indy missing the postseason. Rank says the best-case scenario is that Matt Ryan can provide a little juice to get them into the playoffs and the worst-case scenario is Ryan being a non-factor and Indy falling short again.
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— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 13, 2022
Colts are predicted to finish 9-8
Rank has the Colts picking up wins against the Texans twice, Jaguars twice, Titans, Commanders, Eagles, Steelers, and Giants. However, he has Indy losing to the Titans, Chiefs, Broncos, Patriots, Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings, and Chargers.
With Indy at 9-8, Rank has the Tennessee Titans winning the AFC South at 10-7. That means Indianapolis loses the division again and misses the playoffs, and that seems to be an unpopular opinion right now.
Rank has Indy sweeping the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans and splitting with the Titans. However, he believes the Colts will go 4-8 in their non-division games. Essentially, Rank’s prediction shows that he’s not sure Indianapolis can compete with the quality teams in the league.
Indy’s last showing on the field was a Week 18 meltdown against the worst team in the NFL, so it’s understandable if people don’t have confidence in this team, but this roster is better than 9-8. The Colts have the talent to win the AFC South and make noise in the playoffs. They will just have to do it and prove all the predictions wrong.
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