Anthony Richardson is set to begin the season in excellent shape after devoting significant time to preparation during the off-season. The Indianapolis Colts received an overall draft grade of A from four reputable websites. Selecting defensive end Laiatu Latu from UCLA at 15th overall and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell from Texas at No. 52 were two of the most notable value picks in this year's draft. Both players will be immediate, impactful starters in 2024. Third-round pick WR Matt Goncalves from Pittsburgh adds depth, along with fourth-round pick OT Tanor Bortolini from Wisconsin. Indy made some excellent choices with their three fifth-round picks. They added another WR, Anthony Gould, from Oregon State, and then selected safeties Jaylon Carlies from Missouri and Jaylin Simpson from Auburn.


These draft picks significantly bolster the defense's secondary to complement standout CB Kenny Moore II. They need to develop cool nicknames for both safeties with similar first names. Add them to the mix of a nine-win team with limited snaps from QB Anthony Richardson, RB Jonathan Taylor, and DT Grover Stewart in 2023. Indianapolis is shaping up as a sleeper team with a lot of potential. Shane Steichen is a rising head coach, and his offensive skills were evident last season as the Colts ranked 11th in points scored despite enduring numerous injuries. In 2022, the Colts averaged just 17 points per game. The off-season acquisitions, such as QB Joe Flacco and DT Raekwon Davis, have further strengthened the roster.


The Indianapolis Colts have received high rankings from Pro Football Focus for their offensive and defensive lines. The Colts' offensive line is ranked third, while their defensive line is ranked seventh. Teams ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive lines tend to perform better than expected. Last year, three teams fit this criterion, and two out of three exceeded expectations, with the Eagles missing out by just a half-game. Based on opponent win totals, the Colts are slated to face the seventh-easiest schedule in the league and the most manageable schedule in their division. Historically, teams with an 8.5 win total projection have a good chance of surpassing this mark. Specifically, 31 of 55 teams (56.4%) with similar projections have won nine or more games.


Jeff’s Best Bet: Indianapolis Colts Over 8.5 wins +105

Jeff’s Preferred Play: Indianapolis Colts to Win AFC South +320


Be sure to check out Jeff's 2024-25 NFL Under Best Bet, which can be found here or on my website. It was released in May because I thought the line would move, and that's precisely what happened. Jeff has a documented history of being profitable in 16 of the previous 19 NFL seasons, as confirmed here and at The Sports Monitor of Oklahoma. He has been recognized as an 8-time NFL Top 10 Handicapper and has even won a handicapping title for both the regular season and postseason. You can now sign up for Jeff's Early Bird Football season packages at a discount. If you bundle College and the NFL, you will save even more.


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