(03-18-2020, 04:06 PM)Kane Wrote:

(03-18-2020, 01:35 PM)D6 Wrote: Philip Rivers seems like the x factor in the AFC South for the 2020 season.  So much depends on whether much better pass protection with the Colts than Rivers received with the LA Chargers will lead to substantial improvement for Rivers, compared to the 2019 season.  Or has the wear and tear / age caught up to Rivers?

Yeah... he definitely went to a team with a better OL. But not sure he has the arm to hit those deep targets (Hilton, Campbell) on the regular.
I see them leaning on their D and run game a lot.
And I just don't think that is a sustainable winning formula in todays NFL.

Now they don't have a first round pick, so they are out of the rookie QB market (first tier guys anyway). They banked on Rivers being so much better than Jacoby that it vaults them into SB contention.
I don't see it.

I think there's a good chance you will be proven correct.   

If the Colts still had Andrew Luck at the level he performed at in the 2018 season,  they would be somewhere in the top 3 in the AFC, along with Kansas City and Baltimore.  The Colts overall roster has improved immensely since Chris Ballard became their GM.  The QB position, which was their # 1 strength when Luck was on the field at a relatively healthy level,  is now their greatest question mark.   


The Colts are paying Philip Rivers to be one of best QBs in the NFL in 2020.  They have the salary cap flexibility to do so.  That doesn't change the fact that Rivers took a physical beating in 2019 and that he will turn 39 in December.  Even if Rivers is effective throwing vertically early in the 2020 season,  that doesn't mean that will be the case all season long.  They need their Offensive Line and other pass protectors to be able to answer the bell week after week.  With a strong running game on a consistent basis.  With their Defense not putting them in comeback mode.   There's not much margin of error with an already 38 year old QB with limited mobility.

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