Indianapolis Colts 2023 Future Odds
Colts Ready to Entertain Even If It Doesn’t Mean Wins
The Indianapolis Colts were a train wreck last season. The team bit the bullet and decided to do a rebuild. Matt Ryan is out and the Colts now entrust its franchise to fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson. The quarterback is raw but flashes the enticing dual-threat ability that Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts have. He should lead the 2023 Indianapolis Colts stats. But whether it leads to wins is another story.
Indianapolis Colts At A Glance
| Odds to Win | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
| Super Bowl | +10000 | +10000 |
| Conference | +6000 | +6000 |
| Division | +550 | +600 |
| Regular Season Win Total | 6.5 (o-130, u+110) | 6.5 (o-135, u+105) |
| To Make Playoffs | Yes +375, No -500 | Yes +350, No -500 |
At Least the Colts Will Be Fun in 2023
The 2022 NFL season was one of the worst for the Colts. The team did not even win half of its projected 9.5 regular-season win total. But it may have been a blessing in disguise as it forced the team to change coaches and get younger at quarterback. With Shane Steichen now in charge and Richardson under center, the Colts have a brighter future.
However, the NFL odds point to the Colts having another losing year. Even if the team is low on most NFL power rankings, it has plenty of room to develop its young talent. The Colts also have an easy schedule if we go by the 2022 NFL team stats.
Everyone is looking at Richardson, the quarterback Indy took a chance on. But in case he’s not ready, Indianapolis signed Gardner Minshew. He’s sported a 93.1 passer rating in 32 NFL games. So he should be more than serviceable for Indianapolis as a temporary QB1.
The team also has one of the better defensive lines and one of the best linebackers in Shaquille Leonard. They may be strong enough to make up for the secondaries’ deficiencies. Indianapolis used five draft picks to rebuild its secondary as Julius Brents, the second-round pick, will be a rookie to watch.
Another potential issue for the Colts is its running game. Steichen featured running backs heavily in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, both Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss are on the injury list. It could be a running back-by-committee approach until either return.
Super Bowl Odds: Even the Biggest Horse Shoe Won’t Work
Even if the Colts’ logo is a giant horse shoe, that won’t do anything for this team’s Super Bowl chances. Even at 100-1, it’s not worth betting on this team to win it. Even if Richardson turns out to be an MVP like Jackson, the Colts could have one of the worst passing defenses. Save your money and enjoy watching the team develop.
Conference Odds: Pass
The Colts also have long odds to win the AFC and get to the Super Bowl at 60-1. In fact, winning the AFC may be harder than winning the Super Bowl game. Indianapolis will have a porous passing defense. That is a death sentence when you’re in the same conference as Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow just to name a few.
Division Odds: Not the Craziest Thing
The reason Indianapolis has an “easy” 2023 schedule is due to its division. The AFC South may be the worst in the NFL and the team plays four games against Tennessee and Houston, two teams who lost 10+ games last season. Indianapolis is +600 to win the division, which might be bettable.
But it’s best to wait to see how the team’s offense works under Steichen. It might be a lot of growing pains for the Colts to start. As such, the 2023 Indianapolis Colts stats could alternate homeruns and whiffs. For bettors’ sake, it should be more of the former while Jacksonville regresses. A 9-8 record could just win this division like last year.
Regular Season Wins: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Act
Going by hits and misses, that’s what to expect for the 2023 Indianapolis Colts stats in their games. According to the strength of schedule, the Colts have the easiest schedule in the AFC. The team faces the NFC South, the Rams, and the Raiders. These are six teams the Colts could realistically defeat.
Then against its division, the public favors Indianapolis to win more than 2.5 games. The Colts went 1-4-1 against the AFC South last year. Splitting the series versus Houston and Tennessee should be doable. The team also beat Jacksonville so going 3-3 is a fair expectation. Thus, the ‘over’ on Indy’s 6.5 regular-season win total continues to be juiced.
To Make Playoffs: Gotta Win Games First
The Colts have a “soft” schedule by last season’s standards. But the team has to prove it is good enough to beat the teams under .500. Indianapolis has two new quarterbacks, a new coaching staff, and plenty of rookies and sophomores playing major snaps. This is a young team that is still learning life in the NFL.
As such, even if most expect Indianapolis to win over six games, the playoffs is out of reach. At +350, the Colts would need at least nine wins to possibly contend. A bet on Indianapolis to have a winning record is at +250. This might be a better alternative.
Side Bets: Richardson Will Be Fun to Watch
Win or lose, Anthony Richardson could make the Indianapolis Colts a must-watch team. It may be like Justin Fields last year where Richardson puts on a show despite the team losing. The rookie is listed 6-1 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, which places him third. It may not be a bad bet, especially if he gets to start enough games.
Richardson may be undeveloped as a passer. But he is built like a cyborg and could easily rack up rushing yards. He’s lined at 80-1 to lead the NFL in rushing. While this is a longshot, it’s not crazy to think he’ll be among the NFL leaders in rushing.
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