Indianapolis Colts NFL Predictions: 2019 Season Betting Odds and Preview
The big question, of course, is how the Indianapolis Colts will respond after starting quarterback Andrew Luck suddenly retired in pre-season.
Indy stalled out of the gate last year with a 1-5 start, but rebounded to win nine of the last 10 to book a trip to the playoffs, ultimately losing the the Kansas City Chiefs. General manager Chris Ballard thought he had a Super Bowl contender before Luck’s news broke and the Colts were fifth on the Super Bowl odds board at +800. Now, with Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback, Indy has slipped all the way to +5000 to win the title.
Indianapolis Colts Acquisitions and Transactions
The Colts got the pass rusher they were looking for when they inked Justin Houston to a two-year deal. Houston is coming off back-to-back nine-sack seasons and should be a force if he can stay healthy. Indy also added a couple of wideouts by signing Devin Funchess and drafting Parris Campbell out of Ohio State.
Indianapolis Colts 2019 NFL Schedule
This schedule is no walk in the park for the Colts. They will need to take care of business at home because four of their five matchups against playoff teams are on the road this season. Indianapolis could face as many as six teams with very realistic chances of making the post-season this year.
Week 1: at Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 2: at Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 4: vs. Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 5: at Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Week 6: BYE WEEK
Week 7: vs. Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 12: at Houston Texans on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 8:20 p.m. ET (Fox/NFLN/Amazon)
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints on Monday, Dec. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Week 17: at Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Indianapolis Colts NFL Betting and Odds
The Colts have been a different team since head coach Frank Reich took over. Now with a multi-faceted offence engineered by offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, and a defence that looks like it will continue to improve, the Colts opened pre-season play as +111 favourites to win the AFC South with a regular season win total of 9.5. Now, they’re +500 to win the division with a 6.5 season win total.
Indianapolis Colts Prediction
For years, Andrew Luck was the guy pulling the rest of the Colts along almost single-handedly. Now, a revamped offensive line kept pressure off Luck in the pocket on 70 percent of his snaps last year and he was sacked only 18 times. He was sacked 41 times in 15 games in 2016 before injury kept him off the field in 2017. That should be a huge help to Brissett as he steps into the spotlight. Don’t forget that he has experience as a starter too, with 15 starts in 2017.
With the o-line finally doing its part, the Colts’ attack came to life last year. Marlon Mack emerged as a serious threat on the ground with 900 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games, T.Y. Hilton put up 1,200 receiving yards in 14 games, and tight end Eric Ebron led all NFL tight ends with 13 touchdowns. This is an offence that can put up points a lot of different ways.
On defence, the Colts have improved, but still have a ways to go. They’re hoping Houston will be able to switch from linebacker to defensive end easily and give them the pass rush they’ve been looking for. Last year Indy ranked 11th in total defence, eighth against the run and 10th in average points allowed.
Prediction: The Colts were one of our favourite Super Bowl bets before Luck packed it in. Losing a franchise quarterback is obviously a huge blow, but this team still has a lot of strong pieces. Don’t be shocked if Indy flirts with .500 and goes over its 6.5-win total.