Colts at Seahawks 8/9/18 - NFL Preseason Picks & Predictions

The Indianapolis Colts hope quarterback Andrew Luck is finally over his shoulder injury. On Thursday, the Colts will visit CenturyLink Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks in the opening preseason game for both. The Colts expect Andrew Luck to play during the game. The offensive line will have three new starters and they must come up to speed if they expect Luck to remain healthy for a full season. Defensively, the Colts Denico Autry is expected to dramatically help the pass rush, while Kemoko Turay at linebacker and Tyquan Lewis at defensive end are expected to become starters.

Offensively the Seahawks will have quarterback Russell Wilson running the offense. The addition of top rookie Rashaad Penny at running back should give much needed speed and a breakaway threat to a lackluster running game. Jimmy Graham is no longer the tight end and but with Doug Baldwin at wide receiver, Wilson has one of the best in the game today. Seattle will have a different look this season as defensive stalwarts such as Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennett are no longer on the team. While other holdovers from the defense remain new players must step up to fill the holes left by the big names that were released, traded or moved on through free agency. Andrew Luck is expected to take over his starting role at quarterback with last year’s starter Jacoby Brissett his top backup. Top running back Frank Gore is gone and the leading returning rusher is Marlon Mack who rushed for 358 yards and 3 touchdowns. T.Y Hilton led the team in receiving with 966 yards and 4 touchdowns. On defense, Antonio Morrison led the team in tackles with 108, while Jabaal Sheard led in sacks with 5.5 and Malik Hooker led in interceptions with three.

Russell Wilson passed for 3,983 yards, 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Wilson led the team in rushing with 586 yards and 3 touchdowns, but this season rookie Rashaad Perry is expected to take up that slack. The top returning wide receiver is Doug Baldwin who has 991 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns. Bobby Wagner led the Seahawks in tackles with 133, while Frank Clark was the sacks leader with 9.0 and three players had three interceptions apiece to lead the team.