You want to give yourself a challenge? Try writing a story called “5 bold predictions for the Indianapolis Colts” the same week they decide to blow up their entire roster. Not long ago, the very thought that Indy could trade away Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner on the same day would not have merely been bold. It would have been ludicrous.
Based on how things have developed this season, it certainly no longer seems ludicrous. In fact, it barely even seems bold anymore. There’s a decent chance that between the time I write this and time you read it, acting GM Ed Dodds may well have dealt away several other big names.
We won’t predict anything like that because the situation is so fluid. But the recent Colts moves – and the very real possibility of others - will hang over this little column, just as it will hang over the remainder of the Colts season.
5 bold predictions for the Colts Week 8 matchup with Jacksonville
It can be hard to remember, in the midst of such churn, that Shane Steichen has to get his troops ready to play an actual football game against the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars. I will try, as best I can, to stick to what will happen on the field this Sunday.
Keep your programs handy – there will be names you don’t recognize
Dodds may or may not make more deals before the Week 8 game. There is more than a week before the deadline, so even if he doesn’t work out a deal for, say, Jonathan Taylor by Sunday, there’s a pretty good chance negotiations are underway. Teams in this position do not take unnecessary risks.
That means the Colts may choose to sit out a lot of their best-known players. Taylor, Sauce, Grover Stewart, Josh Downs, Cam Bynum, Charvarius Ward. Any or all of them could be inactive come Sunday … assuming they aren’t traded first. I am not predicting all these players will be dealt.
But there’s a good chance some will follow Nelson and Buckner out the door, and if Dodds is anywhere close to a deal, he may choose to preserve the asset. That, in turn, means a lot of youngsters – unknown to casual fans – may be on the field. Here's a reminder: Johnathan Edwards wears number 35.
CJ Allen gets his first career interception
If Allen doesn’t play – or plays a limited role – this week, that more or less confirms him as a massive draft bust. Germaine Pratt played major snaps last week and did not look good. Neither did Jaylon Carlies nor Austian Ajiake. This is not a surprise. Linebacker was always seen as a weakness, and that has not changed.
But Allen has to play now and there’s a decent chance he could surprise people. He has looked a little more comfortable with increased snaps. The Colts play a fair amount of zone coverage, and if players like Gardner and Ward are really inactive, they will play even more.
That works to Allen’s advantage, as does Trevor Lawrence’s propensity for making the occasional bad throw. He has only had four picks this season, which either means he is maturing or that he is due for more. I’ll go with the latter and see Allen stepping in front of a slant and getting his first pick.
Seth McGowan will score his first NFL touchdown
Speaking of firsts, McGowan should be featured heavily in this game. Obviously, if Taylor is traded, then McGowan becomes the unquestioned lead back. But even if Taylor is still on the roster, the possibility of a trade could either limit or eliminate him from the game. Either way, I can’t see Taylor having one of his typical heavy-usage days.
This doesn’t mean McGowan will actually have a good day running. I don’t think he will. He went for 46 yards last week, and even if he is the lead back, I’m not sure he breaks that mark. Not against a quality run defense and without Quenton Nelson blocking for him. But the touchdown … that I can easily imagine.
Bhayshul Tuten gets his first hundred yard game
It’s a day of firsts (if I’m right). Tuten has played very well for the Jags, both as a runner and as a receiver. Missing Buckner and fielding a subpar linebacking corps should work out nicely for the second-year Virginia Tech product.
Tuten has been getting close. He has gone for at least 65 yards in each of his last five games. But at 5’9”, 209 pounds, the Jags do want to save wear and tear on his body. He is not likely to reach 20 carries, which means if he is to break 100, he will need one or two splash plays. Sadly, I think the Colts are the team to allow it.
Latu, Tuimoloau, and Adebawore, will get at least a half sack
The most encouraging part of last week's loss to Minnesota was the play of Adetowima Adebawore and Jaylahn Tuimoloau. With Buckner gone, and perhaps Stewart to follow, those youngsters will have to step up.
Latu has been quiet this season, but I do not expect that to last. And you can get to Lawrence. He doesn’t go down often, but he has been sacked 10 times in six games this year and 41 times in 2025 - the most in his career.
He will most likely make the Colts pay with his ability to extend plays, but he is prone to make a mistake or two along the way. Holding the ball too long will allow Indy’s young, aggressive pass rushers the time to make plays.
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