A Glance at the Schedule: Part Two

In part two of our discussion about the 2010-2011 schedule, we will take a look at weeks four through nine for the Colts. In part one of the series, weeks one though four were broken down, and the Colts started off the season with a 4-0 record. However, with several non-conference foes in this section of the schedule, the Colts may encounter their first loss of the season. 

Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs: The Indianapolis Colts will being their second section of the season against an unproven Kansas City Chiefs team. However, the Chiefs will be coming off of their bye week, and will have ample time to prepare for Peyton Manning and this explosive offense. Rookie safety, Eric Berry, is a great prospect that is a true ball-hawk, and the matchup between him and Manning could prove to be a very good one. The Chiefs still have questions on both sides of the football, and unless Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, and Thomas Jones can step-up on a consistent basis, then the Chiefs will struggle to hang with high-powered teams like the Colts. I expect the Chiefs to put up more of a fight then people expect, but the Colts should still handle this game with a fair amount of ease.     WIN

Week 6:@ Washington Redskins: If you would have asked me before the offseason how the Colts would fair against the Washington Redskins, I would have emphatically said “an easy win.” However, with the additions of Mike Shanahan, Donovan McNabb, Joey Galloway, and Trent Williams, the Redskins have plugged holes in several areas of need. A stout defense headlined with the likes of London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers, and Albert Haynesworth (pending his ability to get his act together), the Redskins have the makings of a defense that could prove problematic for the Colts. The addition of McNabb and Shanahan will instantly bolster what was an average offense, and even though the Redskins don’t have any big-time receivers, McNabb has proven that he can have success with just about anyone. This might just be the most difficult game for the Colts through the first six weeks of the season, but when all is said and done, I expect the Colts to improve to 6-0.     WIN

Week 7: Bye Week: Fairly good timing for a bye week, just about half-way through the season. The Colts will be able to get a week of rest for the final stretch of the season. 

Week 8: Houston Texans: After defeating the Texans in week one, the Colts will now have the honor of hosting the Texans for a week eight showdown. With Brian Cushing gone from the first game, the Colts had a large edge, but Cushing’s return will certainly be a boost this time around for the Texans. The Colts have dominated the Texans over the years, but this season they may have to settle for .500 against them. As long as Andre Johnson does not miss to much time because of his contract dispute, the Texans should once again have a potent passing attack. I believe that if the Texans are fully healthy they have a solid chance to beat the reigning AFC South champs. However, the fact that the Colts are coming off of a bye week will give Manning an extra week to prepare for a Texans team that is primed to once again pose a serious threat. The Colts will be pushed to their limits, and maybe a bit to far.     LOSS

Week 9: @ Philadelphia Eagles: The biggest question surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles coming into this season will be at the most crucial part of a football team, the quarterback. The loss of Donovan McNabb will hit the Eagles hard this season, and I believe his loss will be more strongly felt than people realize. Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, and Brent Celek provide Kevin Kolb with one of the best young group of skill players in the NFL. However, Kolb is still unproven and unless he can lead this team of skilled players, they will struggle mightily. The Eagles will once again be in the hunt for an NFC East title, however, their hopes will rise and fall on the arm of Kolb. This will be a difficult game for the Colts, not only because it is against the Eagles, but because it is in Philly. However, Manning has played in harsh environments before, so this should be nothing new. It will certainly be a highly discussed game, and rightfully so. This will be a tough contest for the Colts, but I will take Manning over Kolb.     WIN

After the second part of the NFL season I have the Colts at 7-1, and in prime position to win the division. This segment of the schedule may prove to be a bit tougher than the first four games, but it will be good to see the Colts tested against other playoff contenders.