2010 Indianapolis Colts Predictions

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Last season, the Indianapolis Colts regained the top spot in the AFC South with a 14-2 regular season record. They went on to win the AFC championship but came up short in the Super Bowl. While quarterback Peyton Manning already has one Super Bowl ring, you can bet he loves the idea of another. Last year’s Super Bowl defeat will keep him, and the rest of the Colts, hungry in 2010.

In this article, we’ll take a brief look at both sides of the football. Then, I’ll make my prediction on where the Colts will finish in the AFC South division.

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Offense: Last season, Manning won his second-straight MVP award and his record fourth overall. He threw for 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns with 16 interceptions while leading the NFL’s No. 2 ranked passing offense. As long as Manning is healthy, the Colts will have an excellent opportunity to get back to the Super Bowl.

Manning has perhaps the best receiving unit he’s ever had. Pro Bowlers Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark lead the unit, but Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez are all capable of having big games.

The Colts have proven they can win a lot of games with their pass-first offense. When they do need to run the football, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown are solid options. Addai rushed for 828 yards and 10 scores in 2009. A healthy Brown should help the running game be more productive this season.

The thing that really makes the Colts tough is their third down success rate. They finished No. 1 in the NFL in third down efficiency last year, converting at a 49.2 percent clip. Manning, who reads the defense and makes so many calls at the line of scrimmage, deserves most of the credit.

Defense: The Colts have quietly finished in the top 10 in scoring defense each of the last three seasons. Last year, they finished No. 8, allowing only 19.2 points per game. The defense should be even better in 2010 if former Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders can stay healthy. The Colts are a much better defensive team with the hard-hitting Sanders on the field.

In addition to Sanders, the Colts have a couple more solid safeties in Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt.

The line will once again be anchored by bookend defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Both of these guys were selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team after combining for 23 sacks.

Gary Brackett and Clint Sessions lead a strong linebacker corps. Brackett is a great leader, and Sessions is quickly turning into a star. He recorded 104 stops last year.

On the interior, Daniel Muir and Antonio Johnson made major progress in 2009. More progress figures to be on the way, and that means the Colts should fare better against the run in 2010.

Prediction: 1st AFC South: As long as Manning is healthy, the Colts should win double-digit games for an eighth-straight season. With an extremely talented crop of skill players, the Colts will once again boast one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The return of Sanders instantly makes the defense better as well. NFL odds makers have listed the Colts as the -150 favorite to win the AFC South. Be sure to check out my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the other seven divisions.

Jimmy Boyd expert football picks will keep you cashing all season long!

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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