We are now 5 games into the 2018 NFL season and our Indianapolis Colts are 1-4. Last Thursday the Horseshoe took on their old nemesis the Patriots at Foxborough — never a lucky place for the team. The Horseshoe stayed as close as they could but Brady and his crew are back in gear and the outcome was never really in doubt. Final score: New England 38 the Colts 24.
Andrew Luck is once again a throwing machine. Completing 38 passes on 59 attempts for 365 yards and 3 touchdowns, but also with 2 interceptions he is the key to any success the Colts have experienced this season The rushing game is an afterthought. Rookie Nyheim Hines is the team’s most productive back but as a receiver out of the backfield, he has 99 total rushing yards. He leads the team with 29 catches. Rookie Jordan Wilkins leads the team with 175 yards on 44 carries. Tight end Eric Ebron has become Luck’s favorite red zone target and the free agent signee leads the team with 5 touchdowns. He still drops a few but he is the passing game’s most consistent threat. Without T.Y. Hilton the wideouts are just average ,which is one of the reasons that a running back and a tight end are the team’s leading receivers right now. The offensive line? The line is the teams weakest link. Getting Anthony Castanso back will help but when will he return to the lineup? Adam Vinatieri does the kicking. ‘Nuff said.
The defense has improved. Wonder rookie linebacker Darius Leonard is the big reason for that. The second round pick leads the league and tackles and seems to be headed for the Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl if he can stay healthy. He was sidelined with an injured foot against the Patriots. Lineman Margus Hunt, in his second season with the Colts, is providing the pass rush. He has 4 sacks on the year. The defense is better than last year but has still given up 138 points so far. Only the Raiders have given up more in the AFC. The cornerback position is a mess with no one showing more than journeyman skills. The safety positions are better. Last year’s first round pick Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers are developing into dependable back end guardians. Second year punter Rigoberto Sanchez is a solid punter.
The Colts are in the easy part of their season. Well, maybe. They have the Jets in New York coming up this Sunday. Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is exciting to watch and the team will have to be careful with the Jet defense. Even so this could be a second win for the Horseshoe.
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