{"id":94217,"date":"2020-09-06T17:54:40","date_gmt":"2020-09-06T21:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=94217"},"modified":"2020-09-06T17:54:40","modified_gmt":"2020-09-06T21:54:40","slug":"indianapolis-colts-super-bowl-favorites-nobody-talking-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/09\/06\/indianapolis-colts-super-bowl-favorites-nobody-talking-about\/","title":{"rendered":"The Indianapolis Colts Are a Dark Horse to Make the Super Bowl"},"content":{"rendered":"

This past season, we saw a Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> team led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes<\/a><\/strong> and head coach Andy Reid<\/strong> make a Super Bowl run unlike any other. After having to come back from double-digit deficits in all three of their playoff games, including their Super Bowl matchup vs the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>, the Chiefs are lined up to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy and are in prime position to do so. A team that nobody is talking about that can make a run similar to the Chiefs are the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not a lot of people remember that the Colts were 5-2 at one point last season before a knee injury to quarterback Jacoby Brissett<\/a><\/strong> pretty much derailed their season. Not because he missed a lot of time, but because he just wasn\u2019t the same after that and the Colts finished the season at 7-9.<\/p>\n

Even though one of those wins came against the Chiefs on the road, the Colts knew off-season changes would have to be made, and general manager Chris Ballard<\/strong> made sure to make those changes.<\/p>\n

Ballard has always been known to build through the draft, and no spend big money on free agents.<\/p>\n

This off-season was different though.<\/p>\n

Dealing with the current pandemic, Ballard made sure to bring in a quarterback that could come in and remain consistent throughout the season and was already familiar with the offense. That\u2019s when he signed for Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> quarterback Philip Rivers<\/a><\/strong> to a one-year deal worth $25 million to come in and be the starter for the season. Rivers demonstrated consistency in head coach Frank Reich<\/strong>\u2019s offense when Reich was with the Chargers and already knows the majority of the playbook to be successful.<\/p>\n

And with the draft, came talent. The Colts drafted wide receiver Michael Pittman<\/strong><\/a> out of USC and running back Jonathan Taylor<\/strong><\/a> out of Wisconsin in order to add productivity to an offense that lacked it last year.<\/p>\n

Pittman joins a talented wide receiver group led by T.Y. Hilton<\/a> <\/strong>along with Zach Pascal<\/a> <\/strong>and Paris Campbell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

And with Rivers, came more free agents.<\/p>\n

Offensively, the Colts brought in former bears tight end Trey Burton<\/a><\/strong> to be a key piece on offense. Defensively, the Colts signed defensive lineman Sheldon Day<\/a> <\/strong>and cornerback Xavier Rhodes<\/a> <\/strong>to one-year deals as well. Both will bring talent to an already talented defense led by linebacker Darius Leonard.<\/p>\n

The offensive line is probably the strongest core of the entire team, led by All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson<\/a><\/strong> and center Ryan Kelly<\/a><\/strong>. Kelly just signed a four-year, $50 million extension to make him the highest-paid center in the NFL.<\/p>\n

In order to keep all pieces of the line in tack, the Colts had to convince long-time left tackle Anthony Castonzo<\/a><\/strong> to not retire with a two-year contract worth up to $33 million.<\/p>\n

With those pieces added to an already great Colts football team, plus a division that got weaker and not stronger, the Colts are ready to make a run at the Super Bowl this year.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>