The Indianapolis Colts have long dominated the AFC South with the exception of the Jacksonville Jaguars getting the best of them in some seasons. This NFL season may play out differently for Indianapolis.
There is a new sheriff in town and they are coming out of Houston. The Houston Texans have been languishing in mediocrity for a few years now and this season may finally be the season Houston steps up to challenge the perennial AFC South champs, Indianapolis.
Who Will Back Up Peyton Manning in Indianapolis this Year?
The Indianapolis Colts have the best quarterback in the NFL but what happens if Peyton Manning goes down? Is there a Plan B? Don't worry if Peyton Manning goes down, Indianapolis has Curtis Painter. Yes, Curtis Painter is the leader to grab the number two quarterback position. How long will Indianapolis go without acquiring a solid back up for Manning?
Most great teams throughout NFL history have always had a back up quarterback. Joe Montana had Steve Young behind him. Bob Griese had Earl Morrell and Jim Kelly had an ample replacement in Frank Reich. Great back ups are what separates the contenders from the pretenders and Indianapolis has to acknowledge Peyton Manning is nearing the down side of his storied career.
Indianapolis Defense May See Some Added Youth
Indianapolis defense was banged up in the playoffs and their age showed through in the NFL Super Bowl against New Orleans. The Super Bowl was a classic example of watching a defense grow old before our eyes.
Bob Sanders broke down again before the playoffs and although Sanders is a huge piece of Indianapolis defense they cannot afford to be without him in the playoffs. Indianapolis made some great defensive pick ups in the NFL Draft.
Picking up a versatile Jerry Hughes out of TCU will bring immediate help to the defensive line and the linebacking corps and picking up Kevin Thomas of USC as a blanket cover corner will be an immense help. View an in depth break down of Indianapolis 2010 NFL Draft here.
Manning Has More Targets Entering the 2010 NFL Season
Peyton Manning is much happier when he has plenty of targets to find. Manning lost one of his favorite targets before the season began last year, when he lost Anthony Gonzalez for the entire season. This forced many to create a few more targets he hadn't expected to use.
Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie emerged from the shadows to take the pressure off of Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark early in the 2009 NFL season and both performed well under pressure in the NFL Playoffs also. The key to the Indianapolis Colts run last year was that their younger inexperienced receivers made it to the NFL's ultimate game, the Super Bowl and performed well.
Final Break Down of Indianapolis Colts Post Season Chances
The Indianapolis Colts over/under win total has been posted at 11 wins by the the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook and that would appear a little high for this incarnation of the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts will play well and win 9 or 10 games in the 2010 NFL season but Houston will be the team to beat in the AFC South this year.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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