2019 Indianapolis Colts Odds to win the Super Bowl with Expert Betting Predictions

The Colts are a lesson in how quickly things can change. In 2017 they were an ugly 4-12 as Andrew Luck was hurt all season and they couldn't overcome that - among many other problems. They were a mess. After a coaching change and a return to health for their MVP, though, they were a 10-win playoff team and now they enter the season as a solid favorite to win the division - and many expect them to do more than that. Things are much different this year, though, as they face big expectations now. Last year at this time a lot of people had forgotten that they were still in the league.

Indianapolis Colts Coaching

Frank Reich was perhaps the biggest coaching surprise of the year last season. He was a consolation prize in Indianapolis after Josh McDaniels left the team at the altar. And given that the last time he worked for the team he was fired as wide receivers coach after a 2-14 season, it was understandable that the idea of his hiring wasn't greeted with unbridled joy. But he won 10 games in his first season as a head coach, and now he has to prove what he can do when expectations are much more significant. The staff is largely the same, and more experienced together as a result, so excuses are scarce.

Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Situation

If Andrew Luck can stay healthy, then the team has one of the better quarterbacks in the league. Luck turned heads, though, with a press conference at the start of training camp in which he spent a lot of time dwelling on questions of health and his career after a calf strain suffered early in camp. Is his mindset where it needs to be, people wondered, if he is worried about the past and injuries instead of the future? Those who aren't inclined to panic will just say that it was striking because it was a top player actually being honest and open and that there is nothing to be concerned about. Jacoby Brissett or Chad Kelly aren't taking this team to the promised land, so Luck is as important to the success of this team as any player out there.

How The Indianapolis Colts Improved

The team needed to improve their pass rush to make the defense more dynamic, and they did - though perhaps not as effectively as many would have hoped. The big free agent name was Justin Houston, who had nine sacks for the Chiefs last year. He's a disruptive force, but he's 30 now and has a lot of wear on his tires, so it's unsure what he has left. Without a first-round pick in the draft, they couldn't add another premier pass rusher there, but they did take linebacker Ben Banogu from TCU with the second of three second-round picks. He had 8.5 sacks last year and has a good nose for the quarterback.

How The Indianapolis Colts Got Worse

Not much stands out here as the Colts stood pat more than most teams. They took a gamble on Devin Funchess in free agency, drafted well given their picks, and didn't mess with free agency too much. They mostly liked where they were after last season, and given their youth it was a decision you can't argue with too much.

Indianapolis Colts Schedule Analysis

They have their bye week relatively early in Week 6, and before that they have some major challenges, including road games against top contenders in the Chargers and Chiefs and divisional rivals Tennessee. Home games against Atlanta and Oakland are a little easier in that stretch. They also close out with three of four road games, which isn't ideal if they are in a battle for their playoff lives. The games are at Tampa, New Orleans and Jacksonville, though, so it's a little softer than what comes at the beginning.

2019-20 Indianapolis Colts Betting Odds and Trends

At +1400 to win the Super Bowl, the team is tied with the Bears, Browns and Eagles as the fifth choice to win it all, trailing only the Patriots, Chiefs, Rams and Saints. They are the strong favorites to win the AFC South at -125, and the co-third choice to win the AFC at +700 behind the Patriots and Chiefs. The season win total is set at the same 10 game level as last year, with the "over" slightly favored at -115. They are -220 to make the playoffs, with the "no" at +180 there. Luck is tied with Carson Wentz as the second choice to win MVP at +900, trailing only defending champ Patrick Mahomes at +600. Luck is also the second choice at +600 to lead the league in passing yards, trailing co-leaders Mahomes and Matt Ryan at +400. Favored target T.Y. Hilton is at +1400 to lead the league in receiving yards, which makes him, rightly, a Top 10 contender. At +2200 to lead the league in rushing yards, Marlon Mack trails the biggest names, but is still ahead of some good backs on good teams. Corner Rock Ya-Sin, the team's first pick at 34th overall, is at +2800 to win the defensive rookie of the year, with Banogu a long shot at +5000. Second-round receiver Parris Campbell is at +200 to win the rookie award on the offensive side.

2019-20 Indianapolis Colts Predictions and NFL Picks

There is a lot to like here. They have a young-and-talented defense, a potent offense that has a chance to improve from last year, and a coaching staff that obviously fits the team well. The division is challenging, but they should be the best team in the group. I don't think they match up with the best teams in the AFC - mostly the Chiefs and Chargers, both of which they will get to measure themselves against early this year. I would be surprised if they aren't a playoff team if Luck stays healthy - though perhaps not quite as surprised as that -220 price to make the playoffs suggests that I should be.

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