Which Indianapolis Colts Should Make The Pro Bowl?
Sep 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) and wide receiver T.Y Hilton (13) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Monday was the final day of Pro Bowl fan voting, so we’ll take a look at which Colts deserve to make the trip to Arizona next month.
1. QB Andrew Luck
We start with the easy one. Luck is currently 4th in fan voting, behind Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Call me a homer, but the former Stanford QB has been better than at least one of those guys (hint: that QB loves UGGS boots).
Luck leads the NFL in touchdown passes (38), passing yards (4,492), first downs (223) and plays of 20+ yards with 70 (13 more than the second best). He’s also great running the ball. He has rushed for 268 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and has scored three touchdowns.
We already made the case for Luck as an MVP contender, an award he definitely won’t win, but he should have no problem in getting to the Pro Bowl.
2. WR T.Y. Hilton
Ghost has not only become the Colts’ #1 wide-receiver. He’s also established himself as an elite WR in the NFL. T.Y. is currently fifth in fan voting, behind Antonio Brown, Jordy Nelson, Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant.
Hilton currently has 82 receptions and is fourth in receiving yards (1,345), third in plays for 20+ yards (21) and fourth in plays for 40+ yards (6). He’s third in first downs, with 62. The speedy WR has proven to be a nightmare for opposing defenses all year long, reaching over 60 receiving yards in 11 of the Colts’ 14 games.
Beyond the numbers, he helps create lots of chances for his teammates as most teams are terrified of his speed and route running. He’s been a key player, maybe second only to Luck, in making the Colts the best passing offense in the NFL.
3. CB Vontae Davis
Vontae is not even in the Top 10 for cornerbacks in fan voting, which is even sadder than the Trent Richardson trade.
Davis has been absolutely fantastic this season, leading the NFL in defended passes with 20 and QBR allowed (35.5) when targeted. He hasn’t allowed a single touchdown, and less than half of passes thrown his way end up being completions. The former Dolphin also has four interceptions.
The CB, who was acquired by Ryan Grigson in 2012 for a second round pick, said in March that the Pro Bowl was his next goal. Whether he makes it or not, he has definitely played like a Pro Bowl corner.
4. P Pat McAfee
Fan-favorite Pat McAfee has been excellent every single time he’s been asked to either punt or handle kickoffs, and has been essential in the Special Teams’ success this season.
Boomstick is averaging 47.2 yards per punt, and 27 of his 59 punts have ended inside the 20-yard line. Just two of his punts have ended in touchbacks.
Then, we have his impact as a kickoff specialist. Out of 91 kickoffs, 67 have ended in touchbacks (73.6%). Returners barely average 21.3 yards on kickoff returns. Pat has also been literally perfect in onside kicks, as the Colts have recovered every single one of them (3/3).
5. K Adam Vinatieri
He’s currently third in fan voting, behind only Stephen Gostkowski and Dan Bailey.
The 19-year veteran is the only kicker with over 20 attempts to not miss a single field goal (28/28). Every single time he takes the field most fans are ready to call him “money” since he will most likely score, no matter where he’s at. His 28 FGs have Vinatieri at fifth place in FGs made (just four behind the leading kicker).
Other than these, maybe Mike Adams or D’Qwell Jackson might end up going to the Pro Bowl, but these five players are the ones who deserve it the most. Feel free to share your thoughts on which Colts should be making the trip to Arizona.