Colts Betting Odds Decline After Recent Injuries

As we sit a month away from the opening game of the NFL season, training camp is in full force. Injuries have already started to ravage teams, like Cam Akers season-ending injury just a few weeks ago. After acquiring Carson Wentz in the offseason, the Colts are now likely going to be without him for at least the opening of the season. Just a few days later, Colts announced Quenton Nelson was dealing with the very same injury. Indianapolis were the frontrunners in winning the AFC South and were among the top-12 teams in Super Bowl odds as well.

Carson Wentz Injury

The change of scenery was already shaping to be a positive move for both the Colts and Carson Wentz, as the 28-year-old quarterback rejoined his former OC, Frank Reich. After injuring his foot, the timetable is that Wentz will is 5-12 weeks. Splitting the difference, missing 8 weeks would cause Wentz to miss the first few regular-season weeks at a minimum.

This also hurts time to gel with a young and brand new receiving core as well. The injury to Wentz’s foot is going to be tricky, and the Colts will need to proceed with caution. Jacob Eason is likely the guy who will step in if Wentz misses regular-season time, which is likely the case. Eason was drafted in 2020 out of Georgia and could step in as a game-managing style quarterback.

Quenton Nelson Injury

While it is hard to top a quarterback injury for being the worst-case scenario, Quenton Nelson’s injury certainly rivals Wentz’s as very concerning. Nelson is one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and is one of the reasons why the Colts did a one-eighty when it comes to having one of the top lines in football. Nelson’s absence would have a huge effect on the offense being able to produce.

Now he is aiming for Week 1 but did just undergo foot surgery and has a wide timetable to return. Colts also need to be cautious here as any long-term damage would be dreadful for the Colts organization.

Colts Odds Take A Hit

Now the Colts were not viewed as a powerhouse in the AFC, but they were certainly a fringe top-six team that wouldn’t surprise anyone if they made a deep run. The Super Bowl odds fell on DraftKings to +4500 to win the Super Bowl, tying them with the Broncos, Steelers, and Cardinals. They are now behind other AFC teams like the Titans, Patriots, Chargers, and Dolphins.

The Colts also moved to +180 to win the AFC South, as the Titans are now the betting favorites at -120. Indianapolis was favored to go over their 9 win total that was set on DraftKings, but now they are -125 to have under nine wins. What might be the most concerning set of odds is that the Colts are now favored at -140 to miss the playoffs.