Going into every season there are “hot takes” and some predictions that turn your head as a fan. The intriguing thing about the Indianapolis Colts is they have a high ceiling and a high floor. The Colts could finish 6-10 and be a disappointment, or go 12-4 and be a contender for the AFC.
After watching film, and looking at stats from every Colt on the roster I compiled a few bold predictions for the team going into 2020. Here are three of them:
T.Y. Hilton sets career-high in TDs
After dealing with injuries for the past two seasons, T.Y. Hilton says he feels 100% and is ready to have a bounce back season as he enters a contract year.
The motivation on needing to play well to get a contract extension, plus needing to prove the doubters wrong that he can’t stay healthy, and the newest addition of Philip Rivers to this passing attack will allow Hilton to be the once superstar he was.
Hilton in his prime was good for at least 70 catches, 1,000 yards and five touchdowns every season with Andrew Luck as his QB. Now, Rivers at this age isn’t as good as Luck was, but Rivers will give Hilton a chance to shine.
My expectations for Hilton this year are he has over 80 catches, for over 1,200 yards, and sets a new career-high in touchdowns with nine in 2020.
Colts have three defensive players make All-Pro
Chris Ballard made a splash move in free agency trading for DeForest Buckner in March. The former All-Pro will come in right away and contribute to a Colts defense that was inconsistent but finished as the 11th-best defense in 2019.
Indianapolis already has Darius Leonard and DeForest Buckner on their defense as former All-Pros, and I expect them both to make an All-Pro team this year, but there’s one Colt that always gets overlooked, Kenny Moore.
In only 11 games, Moore was on pace for his best statistical season, so if he stays healthy in 2020, he should be one of the best corners in the league. Moore could have well over 70 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions which will put him in the conversation for an All-Pro team.
Colts go 5-1 in the division, and 12-4 overall
The AFC South will be considered one of the better divisions in the NFL this season as the Texans and Titans were playoff teams last year, and of course the Colts have added pieces to their roster.
The Colts have had good success in their AFC South rivals homes. Since 2010, the Colts are 6-5 vs the Texans on the road, and 8-2 vs the Titans on the road.
The one divisional game I will have them losing is Tennessee on the road. That will be a short week for the Colts, playing Sunday then traveling to Tennessee for a Thursday game. Plus, they will have played a very good Ravens team the week before, then travel to play a tough Tennessee team.
