The Indianapolis Colts are 3-2, winners of three straight games. However, all three were close wins over AFC South teams with one win each. It's still early in the season, and while the Colts are heavy favorites in the AFC South, they still have concerns. Here are five things that will decide the rest of the Colts' season.
5. Continued Poor Play Of The AFC South
If the Colts played in the AFC North, we'd all have a completely different view of their season. The level of competition in the AFC South is not great, which gives the Colts more margin for error than other teams. If the AFC South continues to have issues, and no team has shown anything to the contrary, the Colts should have the inside track to the division crown.
4. Turnovers
The Colts were dead last in the NFL with a -9 turnover differential entering the Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. The Texans took over that rank after the Colts won the turnover battle with a +2 differential, but the Colts are still second to last in the NFL. The Colts must find a way to limit their turnovers the rest of the season. They can get away with mistakes against teams like the Titans, Jaguars and Texans, but it won't work against the better teams the Colts will play later this season.
3. Offensive Line Play
The Colts have had major offensive line issues, something the team needs to fix if it wants to make a deep postseason run. The O-Line has been a major factor in the turnover issues (see above) and running game (see below). Fixing an offensive line is much easier said than done, but the Colts need improved play.
2. Balance Offensive Attack
The Colts, for much of Andrew Luck's time as QB, have been a one-dimensional offense. The team signed Frank Gore to help the ground game and he has at times this season. However, the Colts are relying heavily on the pass, possibly because the offensive line has issues. Still, Gore is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and should get more than the 15 carries per game he is getting.
1. Andrew Luck's Health
Nothing is more important to the Colts' season than Luck's health. Sure, the Colts can beat teams like the Texans and Jaguars with Matt Hasselbeck at QB, but they won't beat better teams. The Colts have the Patriots, Falcons and Panthers in the coming weeks. Plus, the Colts need Luck back for a playoff run. The sooner Luck gets back the better.
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