Predicting the 2010 Colts

To me, predicting stuff is the worst part about being a talking head. It's really a lose-lose situation because regardless of what picks you actually get right, chances are you're going to get at least 75% of them wrong. The good news is that lately with the Colts, it's been fairly easy to get things right.

I broke their schedule into three categories: Gimmie games, Probable wins, Probable losses.

GIMMIE GAMES
at Denver - though they trail the all-time series 11-7, the Colts have dominated the Broncos in their matchups recently, winning the regular season meetings in 2007 and last year, and routing Denver in their two playoff meetings in 2003 and 2004.

at Jacksonville, Jacksonville - I'm predicting the Jaguars to finish in last place and last place teams rarely beat the Colts. I'm actually more confident with the Colts playing the Jaguars in Jacksonville than playing them in Indy. The Colts haven't lost in Florida since the 275 rushing yard debacle in 2006.

Kansas City - they'll be better, but this team isn't close to being ready to hanging around with the NFL's elite.

at Washington - I don't care how bad the Redskins are, it's always tough to go to the East Coast and play in front of 90,000 rabid fans. They finally have a quarterback and a coach this year, but not much else.

at Oakland - the Raiders will be better, but is this team worlds different from the '07 squad that the Colts beat?

PROBABLE WINS
NY Giants - I think the Giants will be somewhere in the 8-8, 9-7 range this year. They're a solid team that can cause the Colts come problems, but their defense was woeful last season and couldn't have drastically improved overnight.

at Houston, Houston - the Colts have won 15 of the 16 all-time meetings. In this series, the Colts have either a) found a way to win or b) watched the Texans implode upon themselves.I keep hearing that this is the Texans' year, but that's what we've heard the last three years. I'll believe it when I see it.

Cincinnati - can someone tell me the last time the Colts lost a game that actually counted to the Bengals? Anyone? I didn't think so.

San Diego - this team looks like they're taking a step back this season. They still have Phillip Rivers who is always a threat, but there defense isn't what it was 2-3 years ago.

at Tennessee - I really struggled calling this game a "probable win". Since the AFC South was formed, Nashville has by far been the toughest division road game for the Colts. Maybe Vince Young reverts to his 2009 form. Maybe Vince Young reverts to his 2007 form. I'm leaning towards the latter.

PROBABLE LOSSES
at Philadelphia - with new quarterback Kevin Kolb, it's tough to determine what the Eagles will do this year. One thing that is different about this team is that they have playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, something that they never surrounded Donovan McNabb with (outside of Brian Westbrook). Tough atmosphere, tough team, tough task.

at New England - I still think this team has a good run in them. The defense is a problem, but the offense should still be elite. They moved the ball at will against the Colts last season before self-destructing late.

Dallas - this is likely going to be the best all-around team that the Colts face this season. Being at home will help, but something about DeMarcus Ware going up against that porous Colts' O-Line worries me.

Tennessee - it's Week 17, duh.

Final Schultz's Shots prediction: 12-4, AFC South Champs