NFL Indianapolis Colts

5 Reasons Why the Indianapolis Colts Will Win Super Bowl XLIX

5 Reasons Why the Indianapolis Colts Will Win Super Bowl XLIX

Andrew Luck
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In their third year of the Andrew Luck era, the Indianapolis Colts are finally looking like a complete team. The days of being satisfied with one playoff win each season from their superstar quarterback are over. For the Colts to take home all the spoils this season, the entire offense will need to gel and get some help from a crucial defensive player.

5. Team Works Out the Balance At Running Back

Trent Richardson, Andrew Luck
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

5. Team Works Out the Balance At Running Back

Trent Richardson, Andrew Luck
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Some 15 months removed from the infamous Trent Richardson trade with the Cleveland Browns, it’s fair to say neither franchise came out the winner. Indy threw away a first-round pick for a 3.3 YPC average back who has shown no signs of improvement. Cleveland promptly tossed that pick in the trash by using it to draft Johnny Manziel. Expect a much heavier dose of Dan Herron in the playoffs. T-Rich is about to get T-Benched.

4. Tight Ends Have A Breakout Postseason

Dwayne Allen
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

4. Tight Ends Have A Breakout Postseason

Dwayne Allen
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Among all the TE groups in the NFL, the Colts just might boast the unit will the highest ceiling. Dwayne Allen is a freakish athlete with the potential to build himself into a Rob Gronkowski-Jimmy Graham hybrid in the future. But with Allen officially listed as questionable this week, the burden of moving the chains may rest with Coby Fleener, an underrated receiver whose connection with Luck has only gotten stronger since college.

3. The Receiving Corps Dominates Opposing Secondaries

Reggie Wayne
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

3. The Receiving Corps Dominates Opposing Secondaries

Reggie Wayne
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

If Indy’s TEs are secretly good, then their receivers are, well, not so secretly good. With the best young quarterback in the league throwing to T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and an ageless Reggie Wayne, it wouldn’t be overly bold to suggest the unit could put up some of the best collective numbers in postseason history. And make no mistake; they’ll need every yard of it against the AFC’s elite.

2. Vontae Davis Enters Shutdown Mode

Vontae Davis, Greg Toler
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2. Vontae Davis Enters Shutdown Mode

Vontae Davis, Greg Toler
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Davis has come a long way from being embarrassingly bounced out of the Miami Dolphins’ training facility in a cringe-worthy episode of Hard Knocks. Two years later, he is among the best cover corners in the league. Davis is the cornerstone of the Colts’ defense. If he is on point, expect opposing QBs to panic looking for other targets. If not, the offense better psyche itself up for yet another shootout.

1. Andrew Luck Finally Topples The Old Guard

Andrew Luck
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

1. Andrew Luck Finally Topples The Old Guard

Andrew Luck
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

If you want to be the man, you have to beat the man. So said “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and it’s a lesson Luck would do well to learn. Yes, Luck is the undisputed future face of the league, but he mustn’t wait until Tom Brady and Peyton Manning retire to grab that brass ring. In all likelihood, Luck will face the only two remaining “god-tier” NFL QBs in successive weeks, and this time he and coach Chuck Pagano will be ready for them.

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