Oakland Raiders: Second Quarter schedule breakdown and predictions
By Kevin Saito
Indianapolis Colts
Fresh off a bye week after playing in jolly old England, the Raiders will play host to Andrew Luck and the Colts.
The last time the Raiders and Colts squared off back in 2016, they broke Derek Carr‘s leg in the next to last regular season game, and ended Oakland’s playoff chances before they even began.
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There’s no question that the Colts haven’t been the same team without Andrew Luck under center. They’ve struggled to do – well – anything positive, really. But, it would seem that Luck is on track to start the year calling the plays, which means that Indianapolis may start turning things around.
Maybe.
Questionable drafting (Quenton Nelson aside), and even more questionable free agent signings over the last few seasons have left the Colts a bit barren talent-wise. Aside from T.Y. Hilton, the Colts don’t have a legitimate playmaker or somebody teams really need to focus on shutting down. No disrespect intended to Eric Ebron. Ahem.
Indianapolis’ running game is led by Marlon Mack – last year’s fourth-round pick, who amassed all of 358 yards on the ground last season. Beyond Mack are Nyheim Hines, this year’s fourth-round pick out of North Carolina State, and Jordan Wilkins, this year’s fifth-round pick out of Ole Miss.
Combine a lack of playmakers in the passing game, an inexperienced running game whose effectiveness can’t yet be measured, with a lot of questions along what has been a creaky offensive line that’s been more problem than solution, and what you get is an offense that will very likely struggle in 2018.
Add to that, a defense that’s more or less anonymous – quick, can you name anybody on Indy’s defense other than Malik Hooker? – and it may take a little time yet, before the Colts are back to their high flying ways.
They seem pointed in the right direction, but it’s going to take them a little time – along with smart drafting and free agent acquisitions – to get them where they want to go. Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton can only do so much.
Colts: 17 Raiders: 42