Colts get no love in 2016 power rankings

The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a disappointing 8-8 season last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since they took Andrew Luck with the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Colts were not supposed to be coming off a .500 season this year, they were supposed to be lead to the promise land led by Luck and an improved offense with veterans like Andre Johnson and Frank Gore.

But injuries to Luck (missed 9 games) and veterans passed their primes (Johnson, Trent Cole and Todd Herremans), led to a disaster season and almost saw owner Jim Irsay almost fire head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson.

That is behind us now, and Andrew Luck will be fully healthy headed into this season. And that alone is enough to get the Colts back atop of the AFC South. Well maybe not enough, but to think that with a healthy Luck, an improved offensive line, and some key defensive players back this season, there is no reason to think that the Colts should not be back on top of the division they have owned since it was created over a decade ago.

But that is not what Sport Illustrated thinks. In their early 2016 power rankings, they have the Colts coming in at 14th. Here is what they had to say about the Colts.

Blaming all of last season on Andrew Luck’s injury ignores the Colts’ other problems and how mediocre they were when he did play. Getting Luck back to 100% gives Indianapolis a chance each week, but it still won’t be easy sailing. The schedule is littered with difficult stretches, too.

Okay, let’s break down that assessments of the difficult schedule really quick. The Colts still play in the AFC South. And even though it looks as though the Jaguars and Titans are still taking strides forward, both of those teams have picked in the top 10 of the NFL draft in each of the last four seasons.

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So the Colts still get each of them twice a year, and honestly Luck and the Colts have torn through them over the last four seasons. As for the rest of the schedule, the do have to go on the road to play the Broncos, Packers, Raiders and the Vikings. All of whom will be hard to beat on the road, but not out of the Colts reach. And home games against the Steelers and Chiefs will not be any easier. Still, this schedule in terms of strength is still have the 11th easiest schedule in the league.

So was that enough to really say and put the Texans and Raiders ahead of the Colts? Both of whom might have solid quarterbacks and surrounding pieces, but neither have a player like Luck who can mask up the entire teams flaws and give them a chance to win each week.

Honestly this Colts team is still talented and loaded and will be a top 10 team in the league against next season. End of story.

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