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The Indianapolis Colts looked playoff-bound in 2021, as they were 9-6 and well-positioned for a spot in the postseason before they lost each of their last two games, one of them to the horrible Jacksonville Jaguars. Such a collapse spelled the end for quarterback Carson Wentz, who was subsequently dealt to the Washington Commanders this offseason.
The Colts then traded for veteran quarterback and former league MVP Matt Ryan, opting for a veteran presence under center in 2022. Indy is hoping that Ryan's experience proves to be a better rudder for a team with playoff hopes once again.
With star running back Jonathan Taylor paving the way on offense and the likes of DeForest Buckner and Darius Leonard locking things down on the defensive end, there is reason to believe that this Colts team will be competitive.
That said, here are three way too early Colts predictions for the 2022 NFL season.
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Colts Way Too Early Predictions For 2022 NFL Season
3. The Colts finish as a top-10 scoring defense once again
Last season, Indianapolis finished tied for ninth in points allowed at 21.5. The pieces are there for the Colts to do so once again in the 2022 NFL season.
Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner, one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the league, excels at defending both the run and the pass. Everything starts on the defensive line- and Buckner is a disruptor.
In the middle, the Colts boast perhaps the league's best linebacker in Darius Leonard. Leonard, who is working his way back from back surgery, has earned All-Pro honors in three of his four seasons. He is one of the very best playmakers in the NFL.
If that wasn't enough, the Colts have a ball-hawking safety in Kenny Moore, who has intercepted eight passes in the last two campaigns while earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021.
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The Colts have studs at all three levels. They should be one of the stingier defenses in the league once again in 2022.
2. Jonathan Taylor leads the NFL in rushing yards again
After a strong stretch at the end of his 2020 rookie season, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor enjoyed a breakout year in 2021, rushing for a league-best and career-high 1811 yards with 18 touchdowns, adding another 360 yards through the air.
Taylor was legitimately unstoppable, showing a combination of both speed and power that proved too much for defenses to handle. The Colts entrusted the star halfback with 332 carries in 2021.
While they will likely want to monitor that number moving forward, it's clear that Taylor is going to remain the focal point of this offense. Head coach Frank Reich is not going to ask 37-year-old Matt Ryan to win a game with his arm fairly often in 2022.
Ryan, who excels in the play-action passing game, would only benefit from Indy establishing the run anyway. Look for Taylor to have another monster season in 2022.
1. The Colts win the division
The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are not quite ready to contend in 2022. The Tennessee Titans will still be competitive under head coach Mike Vrabel, though there's a sense that they lost a huge chunk of their offense with AJ Brown- one that newcomer Robert Woods will have a tough time replacing.
Of course, as long as Derrick Henry is upright, the Titans will be a force in the AFC South. However, this could be the Colts' year. This team likely would have made the postseason had they benefited from better quarterback play. They should have that now with Ryan.
The Colts will win the division in 2022.
