Since we’re heading into week nine of the 2016 NFL season, many candidates have emerged from each team to make the Pro Bowl. In this series we look at the three best candidates form every team. Up to this point, the Indianapolis Colts are 3-5, and are struggling to stay competitive in the AFC South. The Colts sent three players to the Pro Bowl last year: cornerback Vontae Davis, receiver T.Y. Hilton, and safety Mike Adams. Now let’s take a look at the top midseason Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl candidates.
Top Midseason Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl Candidates
Andrew Luck
The Colts quarterback has been impressive this season despite a struggling offensive line. Andrew Luck has thrown for 2,284 yards this season, with 16 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He is currently seventh in the NFL is passing yards, and tied for sixth in passing touchdowns. Considering he has been sacked an NFL leading 31 times, his stats should be even more impressive to voters. The only quarterbacks in the AFC that have been as good as Luck are Tom Brady from the New England Patriots, and Derek Carr from the Oakland Raiders. However, Luck will need to lead the Colts to more wins in the second half of the season than the first in order to make the 2017 Pro Bowl.
T.Y. Hilton
Hilton is having another Pro Bowl caliber season in 2016. He currently has 709 receiving yards and four touchdowns. That number of receiving yards is good for fifth among all receivers in the NFL. Furthermore, Hilton has not fumbled the ball yet this season. He is also second the NFL in number of receptions for more than 20 yards (with 15 total). There are very little signs of Hilton slowing down for the second half of the season. He is on pace to surpass his total number of receiving yards last year, which was 1,124. And he is on pace to surpass his number of receiving touchdowns from last year, which was five. Hilton might be the most obvious choice for the Pro Bowl on the Colts roster right now.
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri has been among the most accurate kickers in the league this season. He has yet to miss an extra point or field goal this season. Furthermore, on October 23rd, Vinatieri broke the record for most consecutive field goals made with 43. Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is the only other kicker to have made all of his field goals this season. Vinatieri is also tied for sixth for the longest field goal made, at 54 yards. It might seem weird to have a kicker on this list, but Vinatieri has been as close to a sure thing in the way of field goal kickers as there has been in the NFL this season.
