The 2022 season was a tumultuous one for the Indianapolis Colts.
After a 3-5-1 start, head coach Frank Reich was fired and temporarily replaced by Jeff Saturday. Despite being a beloved figure in the franchise’s history, Saturday had no previous college or NFL coaching experience, which only added to the instability.
This offseason, Indianapolis hired former Eagles DC Shane Steichen as its next head coach. GM Chris Ballard also finally put an end to the franchise’s rotating carousel of veteran quarterbacks, instead drafting Anthony Richardson, a promising dual-threat QB from the University of Florida, with the No. 4 overall pick.
With the rebuild well and truly underway, let’s look at the Colts’ betting odds for the 2023 NFL season.
Colts Futures Betting Odds
Note: These NFL betting odds are current as of Monday, June 12, and provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Win Super Bowl: +10000
- Win AFC Championship: +7000
- Win AFC South: +500
- Make Playoffs: Yes (+360) / No (-450)
- Regular-Season Win Total: Over 6.5 (-135) / Under 6.5 (+115)
Colts Super Bowl 58 Odds
Colts: Win Super Bowl (+10000)
The Colts’ odds of winning Super Bowl 58 are slim.
They are massive longshots in this odds market, with little chance of securing their first Lombardi Trophy in the post-Peyton Manning era.
While Richardson could make an early-career splash similar to Lamar Jackson, it’s more likely that he will spend at least part of the season learning from veteran Gardner Minshew.
Colts AFC Championship Odds
Colts: Win AFC Championship (+7000)
Indianapolis has the second-worst odds of winning the AFC Championship in 2023, with only Houston (+10000) sitting below it on the board.
The Colts haven’t made it to the AFC Championship Game since 2014, and after fully embarking on a rebuild, reaching that stage seems highly unlikely.
Colts AFC South Winner Odds
Colts: Win AFC South (+500)
The Colts also face an uphill battle in the race for the division title, occupying third position in the preseason AFC South odds.
However, there is a significant gap between the favored Jaguars and the rest of the chasing pack.
The Colts have traditionally been strong contenders for the AFC South title but, surprisingly, haven’t won the division since 2014.
It won’t be a surprise when they fail to do so this time.
Colts Make Playoffs Odds
Colts: Miss Playoffs (-450)
Indianapolis has been absent from the playoffs for two straight seasons, and its performance in 2022 was a step in the wrong direction.
While a season of bottoming out might have been what was required for Ballard to start the rebuild, and the return of a healthy Jonathan Taylor will help, it will take some time to turn things around.
Most teams with long odds of making the NFL playoffs have either a first-year head coach or a rookie quarterback. The Colts have both.
Colts Regular-Season Win Total Odds
Colts: Under 6.5 Wins (+115)
The Colts’ win total is set at 6.5 games, with the Over (-135) slightly favored against the Under (+115).
Although Indianapolis had won at least seven games in each of the four previous seasons before 2022, it’s hard to back a franchise that, at times, appears dysfunctional from the top down.
And while owner Jim Irsay won’t get any more heat for the Saturday situation, his team keeps appearing in the news for the wrong reasons.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. is under investigation for violating the league’s gambling policy and could be banned permanently for betting on Colts’ games.
Even if he only misses the 2023 season, the 25-year-old will be a big miss on the field for a team devoid of depth.
While there are some winnable games on the schedule, taking the Under at plus-money odds is the safer bet.