Indianapolis Colts NFL Prediction: 2021 Season Betting Odds and Preview
The Indianapolis Colts were aggressive in the offseason and overhauled several key parts of the roster following an 11-5 season that saw them lose to Buffalo in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Indy traded for quarterback Carson Wentz in the hope he’ll become the new face of the franchise. Wentz, however, is coming off the worst statistical season of his career. Can Wentz reinvigorate his career and lead the Colts back to AFC contention?
Veteran Additions
QB Carson Wentz, OT Eric Fisher, OT Sam Tevi, OT Julie’n Davenport, G Chris Reed, DT Isaac Rochell, S Sean Davis
Notable Draft Picks
DE Kwity Paye, DT Dayo Odeyingbo, TE Kylen Granson
Offseason Losses
QB Philip Rivers, QB Jacoby Brissett, TE Trey Burton, OT Anthony Castonzo, DE Justin Houston, DT Denico Autry, LB Anthony Walker, S Malik Hooker
Indianapolis Colts Acquisitions and Moves
Wentz is the biggest question mark heading into the season for Indianapolis. He had the worst season of his career last year, recording career lows in passing yards, average passing yards and touchdowns, while recording a career-high in interceptions. At his best, Wentz has a lot of potential and is a mobile, athletic quarterback with a strong arm, but he’s prone to mental errors. Still, at just 28-years-old, there’s still a good chance Wentz will regain his form and open up the passing attack for Indy.
Wentz has a solid offensive line in front of him, although he’ll be missing left tackle Anthony Castonzo, who retired in the offseason. Eric Fisher will likely eventually replace Castonzo, but it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go for Week 1 after tearing his Achilles with Kansas City in last year’s AFC championship game.
The Colts made a concerted attempt to bolster the defence by using their first two 2021 draft picks on defensive end Kwity Paye and defensive tackle Dayo Odeyingbo. Paye, Indy’s first-round pick, has serious potential and should be an upgrade over Denico Autry, who left in free agency. It will be a while before Odeyingbo hits the field, though. The second-round pick will miss at least the first eight weeks of the season and possibly the whole year after tearing his Achilles in January.
The only loss to the secondary is safety Malik Hooker. Hooker, who was limited to two games with a torn Achilles last year, left for Dallas in free agency.
Indianapolis Colts 2021 NFL Schedule
The Colts lucked out on the schedule, as they’re tied for the ninth-easiest slate based on their opponents’ combined 2020 record. With an improved offence and playing in a weaker AFC South division, Indy’s schedule will give them a chance to win the division.
The toughest part of the Colts’ schedule will be facing NFC West teams. They’ll be tested right away with home games against the Seahawks and Rams to start the season, followed by three straight road games. After their Week 14 bye, they get a fairly easy last month of the schedule and they’ll end their season in Jacksonville.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 19 vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 26 @ Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, October 3 @ Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Week 5: Monday, Oct. 11 @ Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17 vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 24 @ San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 4 vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21 @ Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Week 13: Sunday, December 5 @ Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: TBD vs. New England Patriots
Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 25 @ Arizona Cardinals, 8:15 p.m.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2 vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 9 @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts NFL Betting Odds
Indianapolis’ playoff odds sit at a dead even -111 to make the postseason, or to miss out. Their regular season win total is listed at 8.5. I expect this team to beat up on their own division, so I like the Over 8.5 at -151. The Colts are +158 to win the AFC South, trailing only Tennessee at -139.
If you’re looking for a reasonable longshot to win the AFC conference outright, you may want to consider Indy at +1556. Wentz is technically a Super Bowl champion, though he missed the end of that season and all of the playoffs with a torn ACL, so he’d obviously like to get the job done as the starter. He and the Colts sit at +3026 to go all the way in 2021.
Indianapolis Colts 2021 Season Prediction
Wentz had a terrible season last year, but there’s reason for hope in 2021. He’ll have a better supporting cast around him and he’ll be reuniting with his old offensive coordinator who worked with him during his best years in Philadelphia. I fully expect Wentz to bounce-back this season and lead Indianapolis to an AFC South crown with a 10-7 record.