Few teams in the National Football League have a more storied history with the quarterback position than the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts. Before Trevor Lawrence burst on the scene a few years ago, the Colts had drafted the three highest rated quarterbacks according to college scouting reports in history. Namely; John Elway, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck.

But the success the Colts enjoyed at quarterback did not start there, it has roots back to 1956 when Baltimore picked up a signal caller that was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnny Unitas. Unitas and Manning both were on Super Bowl winning Colts squads while Elway forced a trade before ever wearing a Colts uniform. Luck was on his way to establishing Hall of Fame credentials before injuries cut short his brilliant career.

Yet, since Luck bowed out due to injuries before the 2019 season, Indianapolis has struggled to find a top flight quarterback. Jacoby Brissett was a one year experiment, as was the insertion of longtime San Diego Chargers Quarterback Phillip Rivers. Carson Wentz failed in 2021 to impress either the Indianapolis fans or front office and last year the Colts tried one more time to squeeze out a successful season with a quarterback in the twilight of his career with the acquisition of Matt Ryan.

None of those situations worked, so this year the Colts went back into the draft pool to find a franchise quarterback. With the fourth pick in the draft they selected Florida’s Anthony Richardson. Early season results indicated Indianapolis may have struck gold with Richardson, but the rookie’s season was cut short with an ankle joint sprain that required surgery that he suffered in a Week Five contest against the Tennessee Titans.

So, what do the Colts do now?

They have turned to veteran Gardner Minshew, who has shown flashes of brilliance but is not a long term solution for a team in search of a franchise quarterback. What first-year head coach Shane Steichen is left with is an Indianapolis team that has holes on defense, they have allowed more points than any NFL team, and a backup quarterback running their offense.

And, who did Steichen replace as a full time head coach in Indianapolis?

Frank Reich, who was in charge of the Colts on the field for five seasons before being fired midway through the 2022 campaign.

Where did Reich land?

He is now the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

And who do the Colts play tomorrow?

Reich’s Panthers.

Carolina has won only one game this season, last week’s narrow victory over the visiting Houston Texans, 15-13. But, they have better talent than their 1-6 record would indicate and Reich has the advantage of knowing the Colts personnel given his history with the team. The Panthers are also in the early stages of developing who they hope will become their longtime solution at quarterback, first pick in the 2023 draft, Bryce Young.

Home team, better defense and a coach with knowledge of his opponent getting points.

That appears a winning combination.

Qoxhi Picks: Carolina Panthers (+2½) over Indianapolis Colts