Jan. 13, 2026, 3:48 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
Why should Indianapolis Colts<\/a> fans be optimistic heading into the 2026 season?<\/p>\n Following the team’s late-season collapse this past year, the Colts<\/a> have now missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, but GM Chris Ballard still remains at the helm.<\/p>\n Under Ballard, the Colts have two playoff appearances in nine seasons, won playoff win, and no division titles.<\/p>\n So what is a reason to be hopeful heading into next season?<\/p>\n If you ask Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine<\/a>, the play of the Colts through the first half of the 2025 season is the reason why. Valentine believes that was no fluke.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n “For the first 10 weeks of the season,” wrote Valentine, “the Colts led the league in EPA per play and were second in success rate on offense.”<\/p>\n Valentine also notes Jonathan Taylor’s high level of play during the first 10 games, along with the Colts’ offensive line unit ranking top five in pass blocking and run blocking.<\/p>\n “It feels far away, but it was real,” Valentine added. “The Colts beat the\u00a0Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Denver Broncos<\/a>\u00a0while playing well against the\u00a0Los Angeles Rams<\/a>. Keeping head coach Shane Steichen in the building is a big bonus, too. There\u2019s a formula there for the Colts to tap into.”<\/p>\n This, of course, is operating under the assumption that Daniel Jones returns as the Colts’ quarterback — and that seems to be the direction this is headed.<\/a><\/p>\n