Oddmakers Place Colts’ 2018 Win Total at O/U 7.5, Peg Them Last in AFC South

According to online betting site BetDSI Sportsbook, the Indianapolis Colts are in for an improvement in 2018, although it may still mean finishing in the cellar of the AFC South. First, let’s start with their projected win totals, which were distributed the week of the draft.

Indianapolis Colts

• Over 7.5 (-115)
• Under 7.5 (-115)

Considering the Colts only won four games last year, having the over/under set at 7.5 is at least a perceived improvement nationally. Normally, many people around the country feel that the Colts are a joke without quarterback Andrew Luck, not considering that general manager Chris Ballard has been working on building a team around Luck.

In BetDSI’s projections, there are 19 teams whose O/U is set at 8.0 wins or higher, three teams tied with the Colts at 7.5, and 10 teams with a projection at 7.0 or lower. That means they think the Colts are near the middle of the pack rather than the caboose if there are 12 teams they feel could do as well or worse.

Not surprisingly, tops was the New England Patriots at O (-116)/U (-114) 11.5 wins. Bringing up the rear is the Cleveland Browns at O (+110)/U (-140) 5.0 wins.

Despite the bump in win total, BetDSI still feels the Colts will finish last in the AFC South, however:

AFC South Standings

• Houston Texans (+155) — (O/U 9.0)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (+170) — (O/U 8.0)
• Tennessee Titans (+300) — (O/U 8.5)
• Indianapolis Colts (+600) — (O/U 7.5)

Some important things to consider for the Colts in 2018 are that they are in their second year of a complete rebuild under Ballard. They have overhauled the majority of the roster in that time. They are also under a completely new coaching staff, firing Chuck Pagano and his crew, and bringing in Frank Reich. With the new coaching staff comes new schemes on offense and defense. Both are expected to be simplified so that their talented young players can get on the field and play more freely.

7.5 wins may be an improvement, but Luck returning is the biggest catalyst for whatever their win total may be in 2018. The Colts are not where they want to be yet, but the young talent and athleticism on the roster is getting better all the time, and Luck with an actual forward-thinking coaching staff seems like a dangerous squad.