After 0-2 Start, Divisional Matchups Now Paramount for Indianapolis Colts

It's fair to say that the Indianapolis Colts shouldn't be panicking.

Sure, opening the season with an 0-2 record isn't ideal, but this team has been here before. After all, the Colts were 0-2 last season to start the year, then reeled off five consecutive wins on their way to an 11-5 finish, an AFC South division title and the fourth seed in the playoffs.

The season is 17 weeks long, after all, and just two games is no reason to go crazy.

Of course, the context of this season is much different from last season.

The Colts lost to the defending AFC champion Denver Broncos on the road last season, although they did make it interesting by coming back from a 24-0 deficit to within a single score in the fourth quarter. In Week 2, they lost to the ever-intriguing Philadelphia Eagles only after a missed pass-interference call on T.Y. Hilton led directly to a game-changing interception with just five minutes left in the game.

This year, the Colts lost to two teams without franchise quarterbacks. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets both went through coaching changes in the offseason as well. Not only did the Colts lose, but they lost in depressing fashion, never getting an offense that was supposed to be one of the league's best off the ground.

The Colts know that these season-to-season comparisons aren't applicable. Just ask tight end Dwayne Allen, who told Steve Andress of Colts.com, "This year feels totally different from last year’s 0-2. Way higher standards, we're a better offense than what we've been showing."

So maybe the Colts shouldn't be flat-out panicking, but there is certainly a level of concern that is new to Indianapolis.

The Colts simply don't look like a good team, at least not yet. That wasn't the case last season, where it was clear that there were a few tweaks that were needed, but you could see the potential, especially on the offense.

The problem for Indianapolis is that the Bills and Jets were not two of the strongest teams on their schedule, at least not on paper. The Colts still have to face teams like the New England Patriots, Broncos, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers. The first three are a combined 6-0, while Pittsburgh (1-1) had its first loss against New England. Oh, and the Steelers beat the Colts 51-34 last season.

With two losses already on the non-divisional schedule and more difficult opponents still on the docket, the Colts now turn to the AFC South.

Over the next three weeks, the Colts will face each division rival before a revenge match against the Patriots in Week 6. It's paramount for Indianapolis to bounce back in these three games for several reasons.

First, it seems pretty clear that the Colts' best chance at the playoffs is by winning the AFC South.

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Colts started 0-2 last year, but the AFC South may not be as easy this year and they look so much worse this time around.

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) September 22, 2015"

The team has had considerable issues with non-divisional opponents in recent years, and given the first two weeks, it doesn't look like that is going to reverse course anytime soon. The Colts must keep their dominance in the AFC South in order to win the division, and make the playoffs, for another season.

The Colts have a history of dominating in the division, sure, but both players and coaches know that it means little at this point in 2015, according to Mike Chappell of Indy Sports Central.

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Pagano: “Nothing. Zero.’’

Tight end Coby Fleener: “Division dominance? We haven’t played any games this year so I see no division dominance at this point. I don’t think (the past) has any bearing on the future. This year is yet to be proven.’’

Luck: “You don’t assume anything. (The past) has no bearing on what will happen.’’

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The division does look to be a little stronger this season, and that in itself may have Colts fans a bit more nervous.

Gone is the quarterback dumpster fire in Tennessee, as the Titans drafted Marcus Mariota No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft. Mariota has looked the part so far, throwing for six touchdowns, zero interceptions and 8.79 yards per attempt in the first two weeks.

Jacksonville looks improved, too, as the offense has begun to take shape around quarterback Blake Bortles, wide receiver Allen Robinson and rookie running back T.J. Yeldon. The Jaguars defeated Miami in Week 2, winning 23-20 at home.

Houston is 0-2, but the Texans have a defense that could give the Colts considerable trouble, especially if linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is at full strength and wreaking havoc by Week 5.

It starts in Tennessee in Week 3, where the Colts will need to establish their division dominance once again with a rebound win. Mariota could present a particular problem to the Colts, however, especially if cornerback Darius Butler can't play.

Mariota has excelled with a quick passing game over the middle, where the Colts have historically struggled to cover receivers. Eric Decker was shredding the Colts from the slot before going down with a knee injury Monday.

The Colts have to use these three weeks to fix what's wrong with the offense and to get rolling before the more difficult non-divisional schedule starts back up. It must be a true fix, not just beating up on bad teams. The team did so last season, as coordinator Pep Hamilton opened the offense up against the Titans and Jaguars with great success. 

Can the Colts do so again? Their division title reign, and playoff hopes, depend on it.