2024 Indianapolis Colts Odds & Preview: Can Anthony Richardson Lead Playoff Push?

The Colts were one win shy of the playoffs last season, and that was with Gardner Minshew as the quarterback.

Now, Anthony Richardson is back and Jonathan Taylor is coming off a fantastic end of the season. The Colts are always strong up front, so this could be the year they make a return to the top of the AFC South.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Colts.

2024 Colts Odds

Odds via FanDuel and as of Aug. 11.

2023 Colts Betting Records

• 9-8 against the spread (+0.7% ROI)
• 11-6 to the over (+23.8% ROI)

Past Colts Win Totals

Important Colts Betting Stats

Richardson was just 2-2 last season against the spread, while third-string QB Sam Ehlinger is 0-3. Joe Flacco makes up for their lack of an experience with a 100-93-8 ATS mark.

In his first season as a head coach, Shane Steichen’s Colts were 9-8 against the spread.

Richardson Brings Colts Optimism

There is optimism surrounding the Colts this season. Indianapolis narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season, suffering a heartbreaking Week 18 defeat.

Now, Richardson is back after a shoulder injury cut his rookie season short, and Jonathan Taylor was back at his best in the run game late last season.

The Colts’ biggest strength remains in the trenches. Both starting offensive tackles were graded in the top seven at their positions last season, while Quenton Nelson leads a strong interior.

If Taylor can stay healthy, he could be in for a career year in what will be a run-heavy offense led by Richardson. It will be important, though, for Indy to have quality depth behind Taylor. His backup from last season, Zach Moss, is now in Cincinnati, and unproven RBs Trey Sermon, Evan Holt and Tyler Goodson are fighting to be the No. 2 behind Taylor.

The biggest question mark this season for the Colts is in the secondary. Indianapolis will face three capable offenses this season, including units in Tenneseee (DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley) and Houston (Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell) that are among the league’s best.

The Colts have a capable receiving corps of their own in Michael Pittman Jr., rookie Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. The biggest question marks surrounding Richardson’s game are about his ability to throw the ball.

If he can prove to be a capable passer, combined with his ability as a runner, the Colts offense should thrive in Richardson’s second season in head coach Shane Steichen’s offense.

How To Back the Colts This Season

Even with the upside surrounding the Colts, caution should be taken when backing them over the course of the entire season. The defense has significant enough question markets that they could be a risky bet to make the playoffs, despite almost doing so with Gardner Minshew starting the majority of last season.

From a fantasy perspective, be sure to monitor who wins the battle to back up Taylor. It’s likely to be Sermon, but that will be an important position given Taylor’s injury history.

2024 Colts Schedule Info

According to Action Network’s Sean Koerner, the Colts will face the 13th-toughest schedule in the NFL this season.

While the Colts face the Packers, Dolphins, Bills, Jets and Lions in the first dozen weeks of the season, Indianapolis closes with games against the Patriots, Broncos, Titans, Giants and Jaguars.

Indianapolis' Week 1 Odds & Matchup

The Colts open the season against the Texans, who are an impressive +105 favorite to win the AFC South this season.

Playing at home, Indy is a 1.5-point underdog. The 48.5-point game total is tied for the fourth highest of the week.