The Indianapolis Colts have been labeled as contenders in most seasons since Peyton Manning was drafted in 1998. But yet, season after season, they fail to live up to the hype.
The Colts have not won a Week 1 matchup since 2013, the longest streak in the NFL. And they have won just three over the past 15 seasons. It’s a trend that they will look to buck on Sunday, September 11, at the Houston Texans.
Week 1 Tragedies
Frank Reich was hired as the Colts’ head coach in 2018, and in each of those four seasons, they have had a tumultuous first week.
In his first game as head coach, the Colts gave up 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and lost 34-23 to the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2019, Indianapolis clawed their way back and scored a late touchdown plus a successful two-point conversion to force overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers. But the Colts could not finish the job as Austin Ekeler’s third touchdown of the game, with 5:01 left in overtime, gave the Chargers a 30-24 win.
2020 opened with Indianapolis collapsing in the fourth quarter and losing 27-20 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who would go on to lose the rest of their games on their way to the first overall pick. And last year, they barely put up a fight against the Seattle Seahawks, allowing Russell Wilson to throw for 254 yards and four touchdowns in front of their home fans and losing 28-16.
Key Matchups to Avoid Another Week 1 Loss
As 7.5-point favorites, the Colts should absolutely dominate the Texans, but Indianapolis’ past failures are hard to ignore. The Colts are 0-2 against Houston in Week 1 openers over the past eight years. But top to bottom, Indianapolis’s 2022 roster is miles above Houston’s.
Matt Ryan vs. Houston’s Defense
Colts quarterback Matt Ryan is out of Atlanta for the first time in his 15-year career. After a rough 2021, Ryan will be out to prove that he can still compete at a high level. Houston’s defense is young, including two rookies in the secondary. The Texans’ defensive line is ranked 31st in the league, according to Sharp Football Analysis, which could give Ryan ample time to carve up their defense.
Ryan will have to use veteran savvy to take the Colts to the next level and ensure that the daunting Week 1 record ends.
Colts Defensive Line Pressuring Davis Mills
The Indianapolis Colts were 25th in the league in sacks in 2021. The lack of pass rush certainly contributed to their late-season collapse, when they lost the final two games of the season and made only three sacks. General manager Chris Ballard boosted the defense by trading for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
Can defensive tackle DeForest Buckner continue to wreak havoc in the middle? Can defensive end Kwity Paye make the second-year leap? Will Ngakoue’s presence be felt early on? This week could be key to their future success.
Colts Wide Receivers Must Mature Quickly
The youth of the wide receiver corps has been one of the most overblown Colts’ offseason stories. But having the receiving corps mature quickly is crucial to the Colts’ potential. Alec Pierce, Paris Campbell and the young depth players need to improve weekly and Week 1 is the perfect opportunity.
Two rookies in the Texans’ secondary, Houston’s poor pass rush and its lackluster linebacker group all appear to add up to a favorable matchup for the Colts’ young offensive weapons. If they can take advantage, it could boost their confidence immensely moving forward.
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The Indianapolis Colts Look to Buck a Trend