Not only may the Indianapolis Colts have a top defense this upcoming season, but they also may move from a middle-of-the-pack offensive team to a top offensive team in 2020.
The Colts’ 22.6 points per game in 2019 ranked 16th overall, but with the addition of Philip Rivers, the team’s offense should improve.
Since the Colts decided to choose Rivers over Tom Brady and Frank Reich believes that Rivers can still be an elite quarterback, the offense can be elite as well.
The Offense Can Flashback To 2018
With Andrew Luck at the helm, the Colts were a top-five scoring offense just two years ago, as he led Indianapolis to a 10-6 record.
The 2018 Colts scored 27.1 points per game and passed for the sixth-most yards in the league.
In 2019, the Colts passed for the third-fewest yards, which was due in part to Jacoby Brissett having to take the helm after Luck’s sudden retirement.
However, with a gunslinger like Rivers under center, the Colts should return to 2018 form.
Although 2018 form means a heavier emphasis on the passing game, the rushing attack should still provide an important offensive boost.
Not only should Marlon Mack be able to produce another 1,000-yard rushing season, but he should also be a factor in the passing game, which should get him his first career season of 1,500 yards combined rushing and receiving.
Speaking of receiving, T.Y. Hilton had 769 fewer receiving yards in 2019 than he did in 2018.
Although he scored just one fewer touchdown in 2019, he played just 10 games last year.
His absence was felt during the 7-9 season because the team went 6-4 in the games Hilton played.
A healthy Hilton in 2020 will help the team flashback to the 2018 and see more Hilton touchdowns like this one:
Since it’s the 13th, please enjoy this @TYHilton13 touchdown. 👻 pic.twitter.com/xNDJCewVfm
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 13, 2020
The Offense Can Include Brissett Even If Rivers Is Healthy
There is also the conundrum of what to do with Brissett now that he will be riding the bench, barring a Rivers injury.
Here is an idea:
On the board first.@JBrissett12 keeps it himself for the touchdown! #CARvsIND pic.twitter.com/CcmupKk0gJ
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 22, 2019
Brissett can be utilized in ways to help Rivers, not replace him.
If Rivers can play 16 games for his 15th straight season, then Brissett can compliment the starting quarterback and be the Colts’ version of Taysom Hill.
Kicking Will Improve
Although kicking is officially part of special teams, kicking is important for the offense’s success.
If Reich is confident in his field goal kicker from 40 to 50 yards, then it can help his decision making on the field with Rivers and company.
Adam Vinatieri, who was released by the Colts, was 36th in field goal accuracy and 40th in extra point accuracy in 2019, so unless Indianapolis decides to bring the 47-year-old kicker back to play in 12 games again in 2020, the team kicking will improve.
The 2019 Colts left a lot of points on the field with all of the kicking misses, and since the team is showing confidence in Chase McLaughlin, there is a strong chance that the team’s kicking accuracy will improve in 2020.
Indianapolis could draft a kicker as well: Rodrigo Blankenship is a definite option.
Blankenship was the nation’s top kicker and he was First-Team All-SEC in his senior season at Georgia.
If the Colts decide to pull the trigger on McLaughlin, who they have signed through 2020, or choose a different kicker to replace Vinatieri, Indianapolis will be better off this upcoming season.
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