Behind Enemy Lines: Opponent Beat Writers Say Colts Will Go Winless

ESPN beat writers for each NFL team put together their early season predictions shortly after the 2018 NFL schedules were officially released on Thursday. Reddit users thought it would be entertaining to break down each team’s record if each opponent’s beat writer got to predict the head-to-head outcomes for the coming season. In this exercise, if the Texans beat writer said Houston would sweep Indianapolis in 2018, it is presumed that the Colts will go 0-2 in those match-ups. Think of this as a gauge of how feared or respected the team is around the league.

The Rams and Jaguars led the league with an opponent predicted outcome of 14-2 and 13-3, respectively. Behind them were the Patriots, Steelers and Vikings with 12-4 records. The Eagles, Falcons, Packers and Saints were all predicted to finished 11-5. The Titans and Texans were both predicted to finish 8-8, as the second and third ranked teams in the division.

The Colts?

0-16

Every opponent in the league picked their game(s) against Indianapolis as wins. While it is admittedly far too early for anyone to confidently make predictions, it lends weight to the importance of the 2018 NFL Draft. Ballard will need immediate contributions from multiple picks in this draft. He will also need Andrew Luck to return to the field completely healthy and competing back at the top of his game.

It is hard to imagine an Andrew Luck led team failing to win a single game. His health had to play a huge role in this lopsided prediction. Still, Indianapolis will enter the 2018 season as one of the least respected or feared teams in the NFL. Nothing like a little bulletin board material to take with you into OTAs.