2013 Indianapolis Colts Season Review
Record: 11-5 (1st place AFC South)
Playoffs: Eliminated in Divisional Round by New England Patriots
Head coach: Chuck Pagano
Notable Assistants: Pep Hamilton (offensive coordinator), Greg Manusky (defensive coordinator), Tom McMahon (special teams).
Regular Season Overview
The Colts were one of the best teams in the NFL this year especially after they beat some of the best teams in the league during the regular season. This season they also saw tons of improvement from young players like Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton. The jury is definitely still out on Trent Richardson who had another unremarkable year. If Richardson could find a rhythm and become the third overall pick he was thought to be the Colts can be one of the deadliest teams in the league.
With young players stepping up on both sides of the ball the Colts look like their set for a while. It’s one of those dream situations where just about every statistical category is lead by a player that’s only been in the league for just a couple years. They’ve also proven to be a team that doesn’t back down to tough competition, if anything they welcome it. This past year they knocked off the two teams that played for the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. They also beat the Kansas City Chiefs twice this year, once in the regular season in Week 16 and in the first round of the playoffs. They are a really good team with a great leader in Luck, the future is bright for this young team.
Biggest Win
It’ very hard to decide what the biggest win of the season for the Colts was. They beat Seattle, Denver, and Kansas City who were all thought to be the best teams in the league. The Broncos win was definitely the most celebrated win but in terms of meaning I’m leaning more towards the Seattle victory. At the time the Seahawks were the early Super Bowl favorites and they were also still undefeated at the time (4-0). I don’t think anyone thought the Colts and the young Andrew Luck could pull off an upset and beat the team with the best defense in the league, but they came away with the 28-34 victory. This win set the tone for their season, from this point on the entire league knew that the Colts weren't going to back down to anyone.
Toughest Lost
The toughest loss had to be the 38-8 beating they took from a St Louis team that finished last in their division and below .500. Now to be fair that division was the NFC West and the Cardinals didn’t make the playoffs at 10-6 because the 49ers and Seahawks were so good. But with that being said, when Tavon Austin made half of his season highlights and one of the youngest teams in the league is able to blow you out like that, then its bad. Austin who only had 418 yards and four touchdowns the whole season, hauled in two huge catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a monster 98 yard punt return for a touchdown that will probably make highlight shows for a couple years. The Colts offense didn’t play any better than the defense, in this game Luck threw three interceptions and was the team's leading rusher with 17 yards. Hilton was the only player to show up with seven catches and 130 yards.
Offensive MVP
Andrew Luck 3,822 Passing Yards, 23 Touchdowns, Nine Interceptions
Luck stepped up his play this year and it shows not only in the teams success but his stats as well. In his second year in the NFL Luck cut his interception numbers in half and took his team to the divisional round of the playoffs. If he keeps improving at this rate he’ll be an elite quarterback in no time.
Defensive MVP
Robert Mathis 59 Tackles, 44 Solo, 19.5 Sacks, Eight Forced Fumbles
The NFL’s sack leader Mathis had one of the best seasons in the league and many felt as though he should be considered for not only Defensive Player of the Year but MVP as well. Mathis had a great year is hands down the MVP of this Colts defense.
Most Disappointing Player
Trent Richardson 458 Rushing Yards, Three Touchdowns, 2.9 Yards Per Carry
The Colts gave up a first round pick for Richardson in hopes that he would improve their run game like the third overall pick he is. At the end of the year the Colts are down an important draft pick and Richardson wasn’t even their leading rusher.
Best Rookie
Hugh Thornton 12 Games Started
It is so hard to find good offensive lineman these days as they are expected to pass block more than ever before. Thornton started 12 games for the Colts and the third round pick has the potential to become a very good lineman in this league.
Statistical Leaders
QB- Andrew Luck 3,822 Passing Yards, 23 Touchdowns, Nine Interceptions
RB- Donald Brown 537 Rushing Yards, Six Touchdowns, 5.3 Yards Per Carry
WR- T.Y. Hilton 82 Receptions, 1,083 Yards, Five Touchdowns
TE- Coby Fleener 52 Receptions, 608 Yards, Four Touchdowns
Tackles- Jerrell Freeman 126 Total, 83 Solo, 5.5 Sacks, Six Forced Fumbles, Two Interceptions
Sacks- Robert Mathis 59 Tackles, 44 Solo, 19.5 Sacks, Eight Forced Fumbles
INT- Darius Butler 54 Total Tackles, Four Interceptions