Dec 12, 2013
The Indianapolis Colts were one the first NFL teams to punch their ticket into the 2014 playoffs in Week 14 and the first team to clinch their division this season. Unfortunately, this accomplishment will be overshadowed by an early playoff exit. The Colts will be one of the most unequipped playoff teams in recent memory. The depth of talent on the roster will not be able to provide quarterback Andrew Luck with enough help on either side of the ball, regardless of how well he plays during the postseason.
This season the Colts have managed to change their perception as a finesse team and adapted to a rugged style of play; a philosophy they hoped Trent Richardson would enhance. However, the acquisition of Richardson and his physical run style has been a considerable disappointment thus far. Since joining the team, Richardson has been unable to accumulate more than 60 rushing yards in game and has an average slightly below three yards per carry according to pro-football-reference.com.
Richardson’s struggles paired with the absence of Reggie Wayne has impeded the Colts ability to move the ball efficiently or rely on their revamped defense. Over the past six weeks, they’ve been outscored 185-126. Their most recent wins against weaker division opponents, the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans, who currently have the worst record in the league, have been marginal. In their three losses to non-division opponents, they’ve been outscored by an average of approximately 24 points.
In place of Wayne’s production, the receivers have struggled. As the go-to receiver, T.Y. Hilton has accounted for 135 yards and zero touchdowns in the past four weeks. Darrius Heyward-Bey, whom was expected to step up and stretch the field, has yet to make a significant impact this season.
Inevitably, the inability to sustain long scoring drives has put insurmountable pressure and substantial wear and tear on a physical defense that kept games close and forced turnovers. The defense is now ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed and giving up big plays to potent quarterback receiver tandems as seen again with Andy Dalton and A.J Green in Week 14.
Currently, the Cincinnati Bengals are a game ahead and hold the tiebreaker over the Colts for the third seed. As the fourth seed, they will likely play the Kansas City Chiefs or Denver Broncos on Wildcard Weekend of the postseason. The Colts certainly lack the offensive prowess to defeat the Broncos again and the Chiefs’ defense has the ability to shut down and even shut-out their diminished offense.
Indianapolis has earned a home playoff game but their horrible performance at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams has shown they can be inept on both sides of the ball on their own turf.
