The Indianapolis Colts bucked expectations in 2023 when Gardner Minshew II filled in for injured rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and led the way to a 9-8 record.
Though a heartbreaking loss in the season finale against the Houston Texans cost the Colts a spot in the playoffs, most experts did not predict Indianapolis to finish the campaign with a winning record.
Fox Sports' Ben Arthur predicted the Colts to finish with a 5-12 record, and Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr picked them to end up 8-9.
Things are different in 2024.
Richardson showed scary dual-threat potential in his four starts, rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has impressed in preseason and the Colts still have defensive anchors like nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and linebacker Zaire Franklin.
While The Athletic's Austin Mock created an NFL betting model that spit out a projected win total of 7.5 for the Colts in 2024, Indianapolis' beat reporter for the Athletic predicted a 10-win campaign instead.
Elsewhere, USA Today's Nate Davis picked the Colts to win the AFC South with an 11-6 record.
Orr from Sports Illustrated flipped his 2023 projection, now counting on Indianapolis matching its 9-8 record from a season ago.
The Colts would finish runners-up in Orr's predicted season standings, but it's unclear whether that includes a Wild Card spot.
Fanduel's over/under is set at 8.5, and Cynthia Frelund of the NFL Network feels the Colts' ceiling is set at approximately 10.5 wins.
Regardless of regular season predictions, Indianapolis finished the preseason with a 2-1 record. However, Ceaser's has the Colts as a 2.5-point underdog in Sunday's season-opener against the Texans.
Indianapolis has not won a Week 1 contest since 2013.
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