OT: Hang the Banner -- Colts finally give Patriots Strong Competition (Article)

Article about how the Colts have improved. Because they knew nobody would give a crap, they had to give it a clickbait title:
Rebuilt Colts Finally Give Patriots Strong Competition for AFC Supremacy

Maybe they deserve an offseason victory banner?

With the way the AFC South is shaping up, the Colts could finish anywhere between 1st and 4th in that division. Might want to slow their role, but hey, 1-0...right?

Just like with Pittsburgh, we are in their heads.

From what I've observed:

1. Chris Ballard is an outstanding GM. His draft and free agency philosophy is a winning one; it did help to have prime position, but he maximized value. I do believe he is improving the roster, but it takes the right coaching, scheme, player chemistry, and QB play for success. Also their owner is a crackhead, moron, idiot, meth head, dolt, and yes, that does make a difference.

2. Frank Reich is not a special coach in any way, or at least there is absolutely no evidence to support that statement. There's nothing specific you can cite other than a record turnaround, which happens all the time in the NFL and often proves to be caused by other factors (schedule, a roster better than thought, return of your franchise QB as in this case.)

3. The author is clearly a huge homer. It reads more like a fan post by someone with no objectivity just assuming everything works out 110% right.

4. I noted last year that the Colts did not actually improve during the season. Their schedule was just backloaded with crap opponents. They still struggled badly against quality opponents outside the division, which has been the hallmark of the Luck era Colts. That's why I went against the grain and picked the Chiefs to beat them easily while many thought the Colts had ascended to a new level.

5. Turnarounds that happen with last-place schedule don't mean that much. It was an overall really crappy schedule. They played the (2017) last place Raiders and Bengals, avoiding division powerhouses in the AFC West and AFC North. They played the horrendous NFC East. This year they play the AFC West and NFC South, along with the second place Steelers and Dolphins.

6. I'm not saying the Colts aren't going to be good. But the title and presumptions made are incredibly arrogant if not flat out stupid. They proved they can go 10-6 with a last place schedule, still struggle badly against quality opponents, and get whipped against elite teams. They have a lot of ground to cover. The Steelers (I believe they'll be better without those two idiots), Chiefs, Chargers, and Texans all have just as legit of an argument to be able to challenge NE.

Gotta get past that Jaguars defense first. The Titans aren't an easy out either, especially if Simmons becomes the player he can become. Once they do that maybe, just maybe they can keep the game against us within two scores.

They won't have a chance to send a fresh message to the Patriots in the 2019 regular season

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Oh no! I'm shaking in my boots!

On a more serious note. If the Clots somehow make it to us in the playoffs we'll just run it right at the fraud that is "all-pro" Darius Leonard. I don't remember who posted that video of Damien Williams highlights against the Clots in the playoffs but it was an eye opener. Darius Leonard can't hold up at the point of attack. Gronk, Develin, Allen or anyone of our o-lineman would make Leonard their *****. It would just be another 2013/2014 playoff game running all over them.

It is the offseason and football writers need to justify their existence thus this crap happens..

neuronet said:

Article about how the Colts have improved. Because they knew nobody would give a crap, they had to give it a clickbait title:
Rebuilt Colts Finally Give Patriots Strong Competition for AFC Supremacy

Maybe they deserve an offseason victory banner?

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Pipe dreams

I don’t believe they are going anywhere. Kudos to previous posters hi-lighting their crap schedule.

Most posters on here rate Luck much much higher than I do. The INT machine always coughs it up in the playoffs. He is 30 years old and his greatest accomplishment is getting pounded by NE in the Weather Pressure AFCCG. So, “loser of the game before the SB” was his peak.

I think Ballard has done a great job of building up a really competitive team, but they are built more for a track meet than a dog fight.

To me, it looks like they are trying to replicate the old(current) Falcons team, just not quite there yet. It will make them competitive, but I like our chances of constantly beating them up at every position.

The AFCS appears to be a decent division and every game is likely to be a dogfight. Colts are in the mix but I see them playing first round of playoffs and if they are away from the dome they rarely show much.

Colts are buying Taco supremes for the Patriots? How nice of them.

Colts fans should be scared at just how god awful Luck looked in that playoff game in KC.

Andrew Luck hasn't shown me he's anything more than a Fantasy Football Quarterback yet.

VectorPrime said:

Colts fans should be scared at just how god awful Luck looked in that playoff game in KC.

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And how that all-world offensive line turned into a complete sieve.

VectorPrime said:

Colts fans should be scared at just how god awful Luck looked in that playoff game in KC.

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Absolutely true, Luck just backed up what we saw in the 2014 AFC champ game. He can't throw the ball in cold weather games. Their only chance is to get homefield advantage.

TommyD4207 said:

And how that all-world offensive line turned into a complete sieve.

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Pats o-line should have been awarded o-line of the season.

You guys are just jealous because the Colts have more banners than us