NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Titans ink Clowney, Chiefs remain clear favorites

After failing to make the playoffs last year, it felt like every available quarterback in free agency this offseason had the Indianapolis Colts listed a potential landing spot. And in the end, general manager Chris Ballard landed one of those guys in Philip Rivers. The quarterback is coming off of one of the worst years of his carer but there’s reason to believe he can find his form again.

Playing in Indy, Rivers will be protected by possibly the best offensive line he’s ever played with. For a quarterback who is a statue at this point in his career, that’s critical for his success. Throw in a stable of talented running backs and wide receiver and the quarterback is in a fantastic position to have a late-career swan song with the Colts.

This team has been on the cusp of being a playoff contender but Andrew Luck’s retirement last year threw them for a loop. Rivers should rectify that and, as the defense has been steadily improving with additions like DeForest Buckner, they could make some noise in the competitive AFC South.

All of that being said, Rivers still needs to prove he has it. Meanwhile, T.Y. Hilton needs to stay healthy and the secondary needs to prove it won’t be an issue. But in the most positive light, the Colts aren’t a team anyone in the league can take lightly on paper.