Week 2 - Colts at Texans
Two weeks and two divisional opponents. Of course if the Colts want to stay relivent early, they need to win one of these first two. What better way to win than by beating the QB that was drafted just before you with the second-overall pick in the draft? This will be the first of what will likely be many battles between the No. 2 and No. 4 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Stroud vs Richardson. Ryans vs Steichen. All four of these people are in their first season with their teams and have a lot to prove. Fortunately for the Colts, they have a better overall roster and pull out a win in Houston.
Colts win (1-1)
Previous prediction: Colts win (2-0)
Week 3 - Colts at Ravens
It's too early in the season to be very optimistic about this game. Lamar Jackson is on a revenge tour to prove to 31 teams that he is an MVP-caliber quarterback that deserves every penny he is getting from Baltimore. With the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers to the offense, Lamar has the best receiving options of his career.
Don’t expect much https://t.co/Kv0IYYlRzh pic.twitter.com/KAE35mkSsr
— Justin Bauerle (@justinbauerle) September 5, 2023
The Colts secondary should not be trusted yet. With an entirely new cornerback room (except Kenny Moore II), the unit has a lot to prove. Dallis Flowers and Darrel Baker Jr. were given the nods over second-round pick JuJu Brents and left the Colts to even cut standout rookie Darius Rush.
The Colts lose this one in a massive way early in the season in Baltimore.
Colts lose (1-2)
Previous prediction: Colts lose (2-1)
Week 4 - Colts vs. Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are still paying for what they had to do to win the Super Bowl a few years back. After putting everything on the line, they've had to ship away Jalen Ramsey to save on the cap. They were likely hoping Aaron Donald would retire so they could save there, too.
Now, their roster is one of the youngest in the league, even having some of the older guys starting including Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Cooper Kupp.
The team is just in a different state and coming to Indianapolis is not going to be easy for them. These two teams are in about the same boat when it comes to expectations, but the Colts are one season ahead after finding their young franchise quarterback.
The Rams will be in the running for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Michael Penix Jr. in 2024. Even after drafting Stetson Bennett, those are going to be better options.
Colts win (2-2)
Previous prediction: Colts win (3-1)