Should the Redskins be worried about the Indianapolis Colts?

Team: Indianapolis Colts

2017 Record: 4-12 (t-3rd, AFC South)

2018 Record: 0-1 (t-3rd, AFC South)

Outlook: The Colts had a pretty fun offseason, didn’t they? After a 4-12 campaign that saw Indy finish ranked 30th in scoring offense and 30th in scoring defense, the Colts unsurprisingly fired Chuck Pagano.

It looked like Indy had found its head man for the next decade in the Patriots’ Josh McDaniels, announcing him as the new Colts coach in February. A tumultuous 24 hours later, McDaniels was back with the Patriots, and the spurned Colts were left in disarray. Indianapolis wound up with a decent hire in Frank Reich, but, in a very messy scenario, he inherited several assistants that McDaniels had already brought on before bailing on the Colts, such as defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.

On the plus side, it looks like Andrew Luck may finally be healthy. If that’s the case, that probably adds three-to-five victories to whatever the Colts’ win total would be otherwise. Indy still has Pro Bowl wideout T.Y. Hilton, and they added Eric Ebron and old friend Ryan Grant (nee Gruden) to the mix as well.

The Colts got off to an 0-1 start via a 34-23 home loss to the Bengals. Most disheartening for Indy fans is that the Colts led 23-17 going into the fourth quarter, then got outscored 17-0. Indianapolis outgained the Bengals, had more first downs, a better time of possession, and had fewer turnovers—but still lost.

How Worried Should We Be?: Not too worried. While no game in the NFL can ever be taken lightly, playing the Colts at home should be seen as one the Redskins really need to have. This is a great opportunity to get to 2-0. A healthy Luck gives the Colts a chance against anyone, but, unfortunately for Indy, Luck doesn’t play defense, too. I’m not sure this odd melange of a coaching staff will have everything figured out by Week Two.