Add a polished quarterback to your roster and the outlook changes completely. The position hasn’t been the same for the Indianapolis Colts since Andrew Luck retired a few years ago. The acquisition of Matt Ryan has the Colts poised as the favorite to win the AFC South with their win total pegged at 9.5. Considering what the team has gone through since Luck unexpectedly ended his playing career before the start of the 2019 season they’ve been good. The first season was a wash since there was no backup plan in place, though.
Philip Rivers took Indy to the playoffs in 2020 and Carson Wentz nearly got them there last year with the club going 9-8. However, a season-ending loss to the lowly Jaguars cost them a wild card spot and Wentz took the fall. So in steps Ryan, the fourth starter in as many seasons. He’s beyond his prime at age 37 but if he’s serviceable the team around him is good enough to not only win double-figures but also claim a division title. That’s a big IF, though.
Indianapolis Colts 2022 Regular Season Win Total Odds
Colts Over 9.5 Wins -154
Colts Under 9.5 Wins +125
The trajectory of the franchise is a lot different if Luck doesn’t shock everyone with his decision just weeks before the start of the 2019 campaign. With QB play being the biggest equation in the success/failure of a franchise, the Colts have sifted through several in the past four years. Scooping up veterans in their 30s hoping to squeeze a good year from them isn’t the most ideal game plan, but let’s face it the Colts have a balanced roster with a playoff and possible championship window still open.
Wentz took the blame for the club not making the postseason last year. It may have been a knee jerk reaction but the offense struggled losing the last two games to the Raiders and Jags when all they needed was a win. The hope is that Ryan can bring more consistency to the position much like Rivers did in 2020 when the Colts won 11 games. Ryan had his own issues last year, but the Falcons were a mess. He won’t be the 2016 MVP Ryan, but he has a more complete unit to work with. Jonathan Taylor led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 TDs behind a strong offensive line. And Michael Pittman Jr. emerged as a top threat in the passing game.
The Colts weren’t bad defensively last season finishing in the middle of the pack in several stat categories. Rushing the passer was a problem with only 33 sacks, but the addition of Yannick Ngakoue should help. Stephon Gilmore will help in the secondary and Darious Leonard is in the prime of his career as a devastating force at linebacker. The unit will have to adjust to a new coordinator, though, after Matt Eberflus took the head job in Chicago.
2022 Indianapolis Colts Schedule
Week 1: at Houston Texans, Sunday, September 11, 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, September 18, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, September 25, 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, October 2, 1 p.m. ET
Week 5: at Denver Broncos, Thursday, October 6, 8:15 p.m. ET (PRIME)
Week 6: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, October 16, 1 p.m. ET
Week 7: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, October 23, 1 p.m. ET
Week 8: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 30, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 9: at New England Patriots, Sunday, November 6, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, November 13, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, November 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, November 28, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, December 4, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, December 17, (TBA)
Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, December 26, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Week 17: at New York Giants, Sunday, January 1, 1 p.m. ET
Week 18: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, January 8 (TBA)
The Colts will be the first to tell you there are no gimmes in the NFL. Needing a win over the Jags in last season’s finale they absolutely stunk up the joint leading to a change at QB. The Jags and Texans don’t appear to be threats and Tennessee is trending back giving Indy a clear path to the division title. Ryan is an upgrade and the rest of the team is more than capable. Frank Reich has done a fine job dealing with the QB carousel while getting the most out of the roster.
Quick Pick
They may not be a heckuva lot better than last year but the Colts certainly aren’t worse. The schedule is favorable in a rebuilding division and the bye comes later in the season, which most teams prefer. They winnable games against the Giants and Texans to close the season and I believe the Colts have the firepower to finish those off. Though he’s getting up in age Ryan is a better option and should deliver at least one more win.
NFL Pick: Colts OVER 9.5 Wins (-154)
