“Between Bets” is an article series revealing our staff’s best wagers across the NFL, NASCAR and PGA Tour. This week’s offering features our favorite to make the playoffs bet in the NFL futures market following the NFL Schedule Release.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Best To Make the Playoffs Bet (2023 NFL Futures Market)
Indianapolis Colts | +375
My confidence in the Indianapolis Colts increases with every passing day of the 2023 NFL offseason. The offensive line – the core to any winning team – played terribly in a disastrous 2022 season. However, this is still one of the highest-paid units in the league featuring good players in Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly and Branden Smith.
Their play will be crucial in protecting rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson can do a bit of everything, posting the highest Relative Atheltic Score (RAS) ever for a quarterback testing at the NFL Combine. Still, he’ll need to lean on the big men up front and elite running back Jonathan Taylor as he develops as a passer. New Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen will hope he can help Richardson ascend as he did Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.
While I’m confident the QB-coach pairing can get it done, I’m equally confident this Colts defense will return to form under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. All-star linebacker Shaquille Leonard should be back healthy, and veteran cornerback Kenny Moore should secure the secondary as the defensive line, led by DeForest Buckner, gets after opposing QBs.
The Colts’ schedule is pretty gettable, as they face just two returning playoff teams before their Week 11 bye and just two after. These odds will only shrink as the season approaches and more good news about Richardson is released. I’m getting down on this NFL futures bet now.
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