NFL Betting Online: The Indianapolis Colts struggled through a down 2015 season, as injuries and ineffectiveness plagued star quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck’s issues helped lead to an 8-8 season in which the Colts actually outperformed their projected win total based on score differential but still failed to make the playoffs. Even though last year didn’t turn out very well, expectations are higher in 2016. The Colts are listed as -165 favorites to make the playoffs, while their odds of missing the postseason are set at +135 in NFL gambling.
The Colts won 11 games in 2013 and 2014 with Andrew Luck under center, so more success was expected last season. However, Luck missed nine games on the season and only won two of the ones he started. Luck threw for 1,881 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, severely underwhelming his high standards. Matt Hasselbeck stepped in nicely and won five games and the Colts won their final two games to finish the season at .500. The AFC South was bad enough that the Colts were still in the postseason picture for much of the season, but weren’t able to qualify after participating in the previous two postseasons. The Colts averaged only 20.8 points per game and gave up 25.5 per game on the season, so they were actually pretty lucky to finish 8-8. The Houston Texans have improved their offense with the additions of quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller, and the divisional crown will likely come down to these two teams. The Colts’ offense should improve as Luck is one of the more talented signal-callers in the NFL. T.Y. Hilton is a top-tier wideout while Frank Gore looks to bounce back after a down season running the ball.
The defense is the concern. The Colts weren’t too good on that side of the ball in 2015 and lost second-leading tackle Jerrell Freeman in free agency. Cornerback Patrick Robinson was the big addition in free agency, and if he can help shore up the secondary, that could be a big pickup. The Colts drafted center Ryan Kelly to beef up the offense, but if the Colts can’t get back into the playoffs it will likely be because of defensive shortcomings.
The Colts were one of the better teams in the AFC in 2013 and 2014. It never quite came together in 2015, but Luck is so good that oddsmakers are willing to give the team a mulligan. A star quarterback can cure a lot of ills, and even though Indianapolis doesn’t have the deepest roster, Luck should help carry the team to multiple wins. However, it’s a decent bet to pick them to miss the playoffs, as the Colts must beat out the Texans for the AFC South crown and could have trouble securing a wild card berth if they don’t claim the division in NFL gambling.
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