|
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are supposed to have a lot of success this season based off their schedule -- at least on paper. Yes, they play in the AFC South, one of the worst -- if not the worst -- divisions in the NFL. They also play the NFC South, which had a team with a losing record -- the Carolina Panthers -- win the division last season, and the AFC East, which only had the New England Patriots make the playoffs last season. But each season brings changes to rosters. We’re going to take a look at the Colts’ week-by-week opponents for the 2015 season. Today we take a look at the New Orleans Saints:  2014 record: 7-9
First-round draft pick: OT Andrus Peat Veteran additions: DE Anthony Spencer, CB Brandon Browner, RB C.J. Spiller, CB Kyle Wilson, LB Dannell Ellerbe, C Max Unger Veteran subtractions: DE Brandon Deaderick, CB Corey White, ILB Curtis Lofton, C Jonathan Goodwin, ILB Moise Fokou, CB Patrick Robinson, WR Robert Meachem, RB Travaris Cadet, DE Tyrunn Walker, G Ben Grubbs, WR Kenny Stills, TE Jimmy Graham, S Marcus Ball, LB Kyle Knox Area of concern for the Colts: The Colts struggled against some of the NFL’s best pocket-passing quarterbacks -- Peyton Manning (Week 1), Ben Roethlisberger and Tony Romo -- last season. Saints quarterback Drew Brees is also an exceptional pocket passer. He led the NFL in passing yards with 4,952 while completing 69.2 percent of his attempts, which was second in the league, to go with 33 touchdown passes last season. The Saints have running backs Mark Ingram (964 yards) and C.J. Spiller (300 yards) in the backfield. Area that favors the Colts: Brees lost his favorite target during the offseason when the Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham (889 yards) to the Seattle Seahawks. The Saints finished 31st in the league in total defense last season. That plays into quarterback Andrew Luck's hands because of the weapons he’ll have surrounding him at the skill positions this season.
|
