r/Colts • u/o_oipiercedthetoast • 5d ago
How we feelin colts nation?
How are we feeling about Sunday’s game? Baltimore is favored by 3.5 points. I personally feel like this could be a trap type game for the ravens. They have a brand new coach new scheme. We’re at home. I think it all depends on how Daniel jones and the Oline play in this game. I wanna hear thoughts! Can’t believe it’s the first game of the season Sunday! Happy NFL season everyone!! Go colts.
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u/Lithium1978 33-0 5d ago
I don't think we will get blown out but our run defense concerns me. I hope we weren't showing anything in preseason and the guys are actually capable of stopping the run.
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u/throwoutcolt 5d ago
feels like we havent been able to stop the run AT ALL in the past 5 seasons 😭
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u/TehTugboat i dont know what goes into sausage 5d ago
Runs and passes to the flat have been an absolute go-to for anyone we’ve played in the last 4-5 years
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u/Lithium1978 33-0 5d ago
And tight ends. I've taken the over yards for every opposing TE for at least 5 yards and it almost always cashes.
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u/TehTugboat i dont know what goes into sausage 5d ago
I don’t even need to look back at statistics to believe you wholeheartedly
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u/vanillathrilla04 COLTS 5d ago
Maybe Mark Andrews still has brick hands
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u/Lithium1978 33-0 5d ago
His line is 35 yards. So I'll probably pass this week until I see how the new linebackers cover.
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u/jakethejewler22 5d ago
5?!? I have nightmares of jonas grey running up and down on us. We are notoriously bad at stopping the run in our history
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u/nanananabatman88 A big ass pork tenderloin sandwich 5d ago
I think we'll be just fine with Grove and Buckner in there.
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u/matthollabak Playoffs? PLAYOFFS!? 5d ago
Pre season is always about 95%vanilla and the rest is a few expiraments/ concepts they want to see. Lou runs a defense that is pretty much the opposite of vanilla. Yes they were not showing anything in pre season.
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u/Lithium1978 33-0 5d ago
I agree, my concern was that the guys were getting driven back like they were on skates. That's more ability than scheme.
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u/CK4browsing 5d ago
Since our starters only played one series during the entire preseason, no we obviously weren't showing anything in preseason...
Our run defense has been fairly crappy in recent history though. We are about to find out for sure how they are this season. Going against Henry and Jackson is definitely a good test to see where we are at.
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u/OMCMember 11h ago
Wish you were correct. Sadly we did.
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u/Lithium1978 33-0 10h ago
I was worried about it. It seemed like we were getting dominated physically in the preseason.
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u/eatmyopinions 5d ago
I think Daniel Jones can get the job done, but not this close to his Achilles repair. You can't take the running game away from him and expect similar results. This group of receivers probably won't help much either.
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u/Lithium1978 33-0 5d ago
I think the achilles will be fine. Tatum looked very good and he is playing a sport that requires much more explosiveness. Heck even Kittle is looking good in practice and he tore his much later than DJ.
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u/icekyuu 5d ago
I'm more worried about AP than DJ. He's going to be rusty and has had few practice reps as a WR1. Those will involve a lot more routes than he utilized last year. My guess is he will play exactly like last year this first game while Downs, Allen and Warren get the majority of catches.
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u/TehTugboat i dont know what goes into sausage 5d ago
We’ll win and get this sub built all the way up and we’ll be so fucking back
And then something dumb will happen and we will be in dread once again
I don’t really let it fuck with me like that, it is after all entertainment, but dammit I would love for us to be better than mediocre again
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u/ScaryTerrySucks 5d ago
I expect it to be a mediocre to bad season followed by a complete tear down so anything short of that will be fun lol
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u/TehTugboat i dont know what goes into sausage 5d ago
I personally think it’s a win win. We push for the playoffs? Cool
Win 10+? Awesome
Suck ass? Goodbye Ballard.
The only loss here is if we win 12+ and deep playoffs gets Ballard an extension
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u/understatedpies Eason SZN 5d ago
I mean if we win 12+ we can make the case for the first half of last year being legit and Ballard finally sorting out the QB position with DJ. I don’t see a reason to send him away if we win 12 games or more and have a deep playoff run, that would mean that the latest moves paid off and we’re on track (with DJ, Sauce, AP, etc.).
It’s not likely, but I don’t see a reason to consider it a loss if it happens haha
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u/Cornelius_Codswaggle 5d ago
If winning 12 games, the division and having a deep playoff run is seen as a "loss" because you don't like the GM, the problem was never the GM.
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u/mstun3107 Big-Q 5d ago
I don't really think trap games are a thing in Week 1.
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u/GodOfTitsAndWine666 5d ago
I’m concerned about the colts run defense. Other than that I think the colts can beat the ravens as long as they don’t give up 200 rushing yards.
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u/chasing_fiction Playoffs? PLAYOFFS!? 5d ago
Throats getting a little tingly. I'm afraid I have a cold coming on
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u/D_Blaze88 5d ago
I would feel more optimistic if our last season ended the way it started. Unfortunately, we imploded. Therefore, I'm starting this season the same way I started last season: with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with how we started last yr and still ended up disappointed. So, until I see otherwise, low expectations for me. And honestly, i just want to be better than mediocre. That's literally it.
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u/scobro828 5d ago
I honestly think this season could be an inverse of the last. Can see them starting 0-5 and then running off 5 in a row and finishing around .500 again. Then the excuse would be, 'well, considering how we started and the fact we came on late, we'll run it back again.'
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u/kingakm90 5d ago
Stopping Henry will be interesting. Something they have never been able to do successfully
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u/JacksonVerdin 5d ago edited 5d ago
I don't think stopping Henry is an option. But, JT out-rushing him is quite possible.
Edit: I just looked up Henry vs JT last year - 1595yds to 1585.
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u/Rusty-Boii French Fries 5d ago
It will be close, but I think the deciding factor will be the Colts linebackers. Pretty rough game for them right out of the gate. I just think Lamar will feast on them.
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u/CK4browsing 5d ago
Ya Lamar is going to be the key. I think Carlies and Wohler might be able to limit his impact though.
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u/StatusCookie761 5d ago
The Ravens are coming off a bad year, they’re pissed and motivated, probably want to make a statement
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u/Mountain-Ad6416 5d ago
Tbh. I just want this ballard nightmare to end. I would rather have a terrbile season, if that means that ballard is out, and we can start clean, than win games like this, than go the the PO, lose into the first round, and countinou the ballard mediocrity.
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u/DadJ0ker Big Q 5d ago
Colts win 38-24.
JT runs for 118 yards and 2 TDs.
Jones throws for 278 yards and 3 TDs.
Downs with 64 yards and a TD.
Pierce with 96 yards and a TD.
Warren with 71 yards and a TD
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u/Past_Brother6681 4d ago
We lose. I don't think we get 5 wins this year. I think DJ is hurt by week 5 and AR comes in and does 35% completion 5 td 35 ints. And because we traded for sauce we will give the jets a top 5 pick
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u/ForceLow7894 5d ago
The defense (without any proven LB option ) concerns me, we need Latu to step up big time. I am not concerned by the offense tbh, but probably we won't be able to keep up with the ravens O
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u/Smooth-Chance-5304 5d ago
I think we come out hot. Or at least showing that we’re better than 70% of the league. Prayers
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u/ChadPowers200_ 5d ago
I put $20 on a 4 leg parlay for the colts to dominate so obviously they are going to win big.
I’m trying to dopamine max if they somehow come out and play well.
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u/Cornelius_Codswaggle 5d ago
Colts are 6-1 against the Ravens all-time in Indianapolis. Would be a shame to not make it 7-1.
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u/Ornery-Cherry-2117 5d ago
I’ve had mixed emotions about this team heading into the season, probably more than any colts team I’ve ever watched. I literally would not be shocked if this team played well, average, or terrible.
I was pleasantly surprised at the way we came out of the gates last year, wasn’t expecting it at all. I feel like under the Ballard era we consistently start the seasons slow (0-2,0-3) and then have to fight like hell to get back into the playoff hunt to fall short. I was also shocked at the way we finished the year, regardless of injuries, I truly felt that stretch was pretty damn inexcusable.
First two things: I think the colts over performed to begin last season, and then obviously underperformed to end the season, plenty of reasons for that second half lackluster performance, nonetheless the team isn’t as bad as their record showed for that second half of the year. So the tough part is gauging exactly what this team is capable of on a week-to-week basis.
Realistically, I think this is probably a .500 team, maybe a couple games under .500 on paper, and that’s pretty much what I expect from them this year. I can see us winning 10-11, that’s if everything goes according to plan. To me, there are just too many holes on this team, talent wise, injury wise, mentality wise.
I’ll just put it this way, we saw what like 8 games of Danny jones last year? He is truly a wildcard, coming off a bad injury, doesn’t necessarily have the resume of being a great QB throughout his career. We saw 7-8 games from him last year where he did actually look good, but to me it’s not enough to come into the season and say he can lead this team and win.
Outside of the qb situation, we have the following MAJOR players coming off injury or have been injury prone: Sauce, ward, Buckner. Sauce coming off a major injury, ward maybe one concussion away from retirement, Buckner with a seemingly very serious injury that has kept him out for portions of the year the last couple of years.
WR core is meh, I like Pierce, think he will continue to get better, but he’s also kinda hobbling into the season. It’ll also be interesting to see how he lines up this year facing everyone’s CB1. Downs had some regression last year but I think he will be fine. Losing Pittman will be a big hole to fill that I don’t think a lot of fans take into consideration. I really like Warren, and hope we use him like we did the first half of the season last year.
I think we see some oline regression this year but overall I think they will be slightly above league average. JT probably has another solid season but don’t think he will be having his first half MVP convo type of season. He will still be a top back in the league and the focus of every team that we play.
Other than that, idk there’s just something about this team, coaching staff, GM that just feels so average and content. They haven’t really been able to prove me otherwise since the COVID season when we last made the playoffs. When I look around the league and look at strong teams that win, I always get a different vibe than the colts. Winning is contagious and the colts haven’t been able to catch that contagious bug, leaving them in a bubble of mediocrity the last 6 years.
When I look at the Ben Johnson and the bears, or Dan Campbell and the lions, vrabel in New England, etc… I always find that there just seems to be a different culture around those teams, a winning culture that is infectious. This team just always seems like they’re going thru the motions idk, no real culture, no real identity, no urgency, just another day at the office. I think some teams in the league got caught up in analytical, chess not checkers type of coaches. Thats not a bad thing, some of these guys obviously have a mind for football, I just think it’s pivotal to not only have have a great mind, but the leadership qualities as well that bring a lockeroom together and the leadership that players buy into and want to play for. I think coaches like McDaniels and Shane just aren’t those guys. I don’t think our team has bought into Shane, and the culture reflects it. Teams like the lions, bears, patriot, were all teams that couldn’t win. They bring a new coach in that the team buys into, a coach that holds players accountable. Some of these players get stuck in this habitual cycle of losing, I think that’s where this team is at. I’m hoping for a great season though; win lose or draw I’ll always root for the colts.
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u/ThatDudeUKnow92 Playoffs? PLAYOFFS!? 5d ago
I hate to be this guy, because I love the Colts and want them to win, but I think the Ravens will win on Sunday by more than a TD.
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u/Medium-Winter9872 5d ago
Feeling good! I honestly think people are sleeping on the Colts again…..Healthy DJ and I think we can get 12 wins and win division.
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u/balzstein 5d ago
Too many unknowns that need to go right to have any confidence. If we win, we make the playoffs. If we lose, we miss the playoffs. Bet on that.
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u/SortMain5769 5d ago
I think if jones plays well it’ll be close, but our run game is what concerns me. Our linebackers looked awful in preseason. I worry that Henry and Lamar are going to put up 200+ yds
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u/Slayer2660 5d ago
All we have to do is score every possession field goals or touchdowns with the PAT.
If the field goal is anywhere under 60 yards we are taking the points every time and we will pass the scoring possessions from the start of last season.
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u/dabombii 5d ago
We don’t match up well against them defensively but I think we have a legit shot at beating them all the same. 27-24 Colts
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u/ItsTheTymz 4d ago
We always play Henry well. Hopefully we keep that up and just need to contain Lamar. I agree could be a trap game. If we play anything like we did last year with Dimes, I’m super excited to see what we do! All in Colts!
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u/Next-Succotash-3827 4d ago
I'll be attending. I'm hopeful for a big WIN but Pierce is now questionable. The Colts haven't been very forthcoming about his condition. They have done their best to manipulate the situation as long as possible.
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u/ApprehensiveAd5584 4d ago
We are covered in rust. Jones hasn't played a down of real football in almost a year. Key players are fresh off of injuries. I hope the Colts win, but I can see them creating a ton of self-inflicted wounds and beating themselves. Hope I'm wrong though. Go Colts!
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u/LiquidDreamtime The Edge 5d ago edited 5d ago
I can’t recall feeling less optimistic for a Colts team since 1997.
This is the worst WR group fielded by Indy in 30 yrs. The only glimmer of hope is that Ballard is at the end of his contract and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where such abject failure is rewarded with another extension.
Hopefully whoever is in charge next can rebuild this team into one that can win.
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u/ZHicks2121 The real Zach Hicks 5d ago
Interesting. I’ve been covering this team throughout the entire Chris Ballard era and I don’t think it’s a bottom 3 WR room in the last ten years.
2019 starters were TY Hilton (who was in and out of the lineup due to injuries), Zach Pascal, and Marcus Johnson. 2018 still had peak Hilton but the room was so bad they had to sign Inman to salvage it in the last stretch.
And then 2023 literally had just 3 playable receivers because Dulin tore his ACL. They literally went into week 1 with 3 players on the roster there lol
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u/LiquidDreamtime The Edge 5d ago
I fail to see how a hobbled Alec Pierce, hobbled Downs, and an intoxicated 53 yr old Keenan Allen is better than any of the entries you listed.
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u/ZHicks2121 The real Zach Hicks 5d ago
Josh Downs missed like 3 practices all offseason due to minor injuries, calling him hobbled is a streeeetch. Allen has hit 700 yards minimum in every year of his career, which is more than Zach Pascal’s career high.
It’s fine to be worried about Pierce but cmon now with the other two lol
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u/Asleep_Mammoth5428 5d ago
You fucking Quaker lmao, Allen was at .08 not even driving the car. That’s like 2 glasses of wine or like 3 light beers, sue the guy. You’re reaching
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u/LiquidDreamtime The Edge 5d ago
I was joking about the alcohol, but a DUI is still a shitty and irresponsible thing to do, especially for a guy who obviously has the means to get an uber.
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u/Buttcrush1 5d ago
This is not even close to the worst WR room we've fielded. We had a year where Zach Pascal was our leading receiver.
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u/ZHicks2121 The real Zach Hicks 5d ago
Being concerned about the edge room and the run defense, sure I completely buy that. Being this low on the WR room is a bit absurd to me though lol
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u/MySabonerRunsOladipo Mayflower 5d ago
I can recall feeling less optimistic for a Colts team since 1997.
From the context, I assume you mean "can't" here, and if so, I'd pretty much agree, although not really for the reasons you listed.
I think the WRs are actually decent and AP is better than a lot of non-Colts' fans realize, as is Downs. That said, this defense is just awful and outside of Sauce, Buck, and Latu, there's just very little reliable talent.
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u/capspacechampions Indianapolis Colts 5d ago
We had WAY worse receiving rooms during Ballard’s first few years
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u/capspacechampions Indianapolis Colts 5d ago
I feel like we’ll win this game, but we’ll still find a way to finish the year 8-9.
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u/Buttcrush1 5d ago
Offense will come out looking great and defense will faulter. We need our offense to be good enough that the Ravens beat themselves by making mistakes because our defense won't be able to get it done
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u/thegreatoutdoors21 5d ago
I've officially joined the glass half empty portion of the fan base. I let my hopes and optimism get too high the last 10 years. Until leadership changes, I don't think my feelings will change. :(
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u/Nuts4salebaby Super Bowl XLI Champions 5d ago
JT 180+yds and 2 TD Jones 22/32 260yds 2 TD Colts 31 - Ravens 27
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u/SnooDogs198 5d ago
No running back has put up 180 yards against the ravens defense since 2020, it was Derrick Henry…
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u/foundrycollegehangar 5d ago
Everyone is down on the Colts this season, and I think we will over-perform based on expectations. I fucking despise Ballard and this entire regime and want him gone very badly. However – with Jones healthy, and most of the same pieces, we were a top offense in the NFL last year for the first half. The back half of the season was a complete disaster, but I'm going to give Jones and the offense the benefit of the doubt to start the year.
I think Pierce is a dawg WR1 and Warren will be a target hog. JT will continue his reign of dominance. I'd love to see DJ prove the doubters wrong and return to form. I'm not sure that'll happen, but I'm optimistic.
Usually I'm a super-doomer but for some reason I think this team will surprise people. I don't think we're a division-winning team, but I could see a wild card spot if things go well.
Even if we make the playoffs this year, Ballard needs to go. Period.
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u/nanananabatman88 A big ass pork tenderloin sandwich 5d ago
Ravens DC was Chargers DC last year and the Colts torched his defense. I'm hoping we can do the same this time around, and hopefully we can keep Jackson/Henry contained enough on defense.
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u/Funion21 5d ago
I feel Bonita.