Despite a dismal 2011 season, the departure of several star Super Bowl winning players and the 11 week absence of Coach Chuck Pagano, the Indianapolis Colts finished last season with a respectable 11-5 record.
Now, the Colts are set to exceed expectations again as they prepare for the start of their 2013-14 regular season on Sept. 8 when they face the Oakland Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium.
With quarterback Andrew Luck and Additions such as running back Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin and wide receiver Darius Heyward-Bey offer new excitement and refreshed potential for the team.
However, the Colts’ journey to the playoffs will be marked with plenty of adventures against teams pledged to do everything possible to keep the Blue and White momentum from building. Here are some of the teams that might provide epic battles for the Colts on their road to Super Bowl XLVIII.
San Francisco 49ers
Facing the Colts: Sept. 22
2012 record: 11-4-1
Why they need to be watched: Under the leadership of former Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers enter this as the defending NFC champions. With the abilities of celebrated quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a veteran defense and a variable running attack as their key ingredients, the 49ers are hungry for a return to the Super Bowl after last year’s heartbreaking loss to Baltimore.
Seattle Seahawks
Facing the Colts: Oct. 6
2012 record: 11-5
Why they need to be watched: After making some questionable acquisitions and trades that have left some experts scratching their heads, the Seahawks have (so far) shown that their selections have been sound. The Seahawks are being increasingly viewed as a mostly young, up-and-coming team with plenty of potential for 2013.
Denver Broncos
Facing the Colts: Oct. 20
2012 record: 13-3
Why they need to be watched: Much like the 49ers, the Broncos are entering this season as a veteran team with few holes in their roster. They dealt with their most pressing need in the first round of the draft by adding North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. The Broncos have plenty of power on both offense and defense, and they are primed to make a run to the Super Bowl.
Houston Texans
Facing the Colts: Nov. 3 and Dec. 15
2012 record: 12-4
Why they need to be watched: Starting with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans addressed all the right areas in the 2013 draft. This team reinforced a strong defense, and the addition of Hopkins will give them a more diverse offensive attack.
Kansas City Chiefs
Facing the Colts: Dec. 22
2012 record: 2-14
Why they need to be watched: After dismal results last season, the Chiefs have nowhere to go but up. The team is among those expected to have a significant turnaround this year, thanks to the additions of No. 1 draft pick Eric Fisher, new coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith.
