Colts Look To Improve On Unexpected 2023 Success

July 16, 2024 by Staff

Journeyman veteran Gardner Minshew and rookie Anthony Richardson (Florida) quarterbacked Indianapolis to a somewhat surprising 9 wins in 2023, easily passing the preseason over/under mark of 6.5 wins in the first campaign under head coach Shane Steichen.

So what are the 2024 betting lines for the Colts? Can they make the playoffs for the first time since 2020?

Minshew, who was 7-6 as a starter is now with the Las Vegas Raiders after signing a 2-year deal in March. It will be his fourth different team in six seasons. He played at three different schools in college - NW Mississippi CC (1 year), East Carolina (3 years) and Washington State (1 year).

Richardson played his entire career at Florida, but only had one full season as the starter for a team that finished 6-6 in 2022. He had two more years of eligibility remaining. Regardless, the Colts took him as the No. 4 over-all pick in the 2023 NFL Draft behind quarterbacks Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, and LB Will Anderson.

Richardson was named the Game 1 starter and went 2-2 before season his season end in week 5 with a shoulder injury. It occurred on a designed QB run when he was tackled from behind against Tennessee and had his right (throwing) shoulder driven into the turf.

There are quite a few reasons for oddsmakers to believe they could top 9 wins this season, but the Indianapolis over/under win total is set at 8.5.

1. It is fully expected that Richardson will be named the starter for week one.
   
   
2. Indianapolis' schedule strength only ranks 21st out of 32 teams (tied with division member Tennessee), while the other AFC South teams, Jacksonville and Houston, have SOS ranks of T-9th and T-4th, respectively.
   
   
3. The draft was widely considered to be a good one with the NFL.com's Chad Reuter grading the Colts' selection as B+ over-all.
   
   

2024 Indianapolis Draft Picks

Round/Overall Pick No. - Name, Position, College
1/15 - Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
2/52 - (Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (from LAR)
3/79 - Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
4/117 - Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
5/142 - Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State (from CAR through TEN)
5/151 - Jaylon Carlies, S, Missouri
5/164 - Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn (from CAR through TEN)
6/201 - Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall (from DET throughTB)
7/234 - Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma

The defense needs to improve for the Colts to seriously mount a playoff run. Though that unit ranked a decent 11th in rushing yards allowed, they gave up a whopping 22 touchdowns on the ground which was the 4th-most conceded by all 32 teams.

The pass defense also ranked 11th.

Returning stat leaders include Jonathan Taylor who rushed for 741 yards and 7 TD's, and caught 19 passes for 153 yards in just seven starts and ten total game appearances. Fellow RB Zack Moss is now with Cincinnati.

Wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. received the franchise tag. He has 296 catches over the last three seasons for 3,159 yards, but just 14 touchdowns.

Safety Julian Blackmon returns after leading the team with 4 interceptions a year ago, along with 65 solo tackles.

2024 Indianapolis Schedule

9/8 Houston
9/15 at Green Bay
9/22 Chicago
9/29 Pittsburgh
10/6 at Jacksonville
10/13 at Tennessee
10/20 Miami
10/27 at Houston
11/3 at Minnesota
11/10 Buffalo
11/17 at NY Jets
11/24 Detroit
12/1 at New England
12/8 BYE
12/15 at Denver
12/22 Tennessee
12/29 at NY Giants
1/5 Jacksonville