Indianapolis Colts 2023-24 NFL Season Recap

Indianapolis Colts NFL Season Recap

While the Indianapolis Colts ultimately failed to qualify for the postseason after dropping a win-and-in clash at home to the division rival Texans in Week 18 betting action, the 2023-24 campaign can only be considered a success when you take into account how bleak the future of the franchise looked entering last offseason. What a difference a coach makes! The Philadelphia Eagles possessed a pair of stellar coordinators on their way to winning the NFC the year prior. Both Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon revitalized dormant organizations in their first seasons calling the shots with the Colts nearly pulling off a worst-to-first showing in the AFC South under the former’s watch.

While it only resulted in 9-8 SU and ATS records, that’s still a far cry from the 4-12-1 and 6-11 outputs the team put forth in a disappointing campaign the year prior with a horrid coaching staff looking on. There was growth exhibited on both sides of the ball as well. Though Gardner Minshew wasn’t expected to be the offense’s QB1, he was still able to navigate the league’s No. 15 ranked overall unit that put a respectable 23.3 points per game (No. 10) on the board. Though the passing attack ranked below average (No. 20), the running game flourished with Jonathan Taylor and Co. gouging opposing run defenses for 121.1 yards per game (No. 10) and 4.3 yards per carry (No. 10) en route to ranking sixth in rushing touchdown percentage. Steichen’s offensive chops clearly showed in his first season calling the shots which should have NFL bettors and fantasy managers excited about the prospects of this attack moving forward provided a healthy Anthony Richardson nestles back in under center next season.

Most impressive about the Colts resurgent campaign was the fact that five of its nine overall wins were logged away from Lucas Oil Stadium. That output marked a three-game improvement from the prior season. The triumphs weren’t of the cheap variety either with wins tallied on the road against the Texans and Ravens with each going on to punch tickets to the second season. After it was said and done, Indianapolis went on to smash its 6.5-game season win total, and cash a nice +280 ticket at the online sportsbook by finishing second in the division.

Indianapolis Colts 2024 Offseason

When putting the Colts overall body of work under the microscope, it’s clearly evident that improvement is needed in the passing game on the offensive side of the ball and up front defensively.

While Michael Pittman Jr. put forth a career-year with 1,152 yards on 109 receptions, he still only matched the prior season’s four touchdown snags. Josh Downs proved to be a decent compliment, but his rookie season output didn’t force opposing defenses to not go all-out in an attempt to stop the unit’s WR1. Pittman needs more help, so it would behoove the front office to find another game breaker to line up alongside him.

Per Tankathon, Indy will enter the 2024 NFL Draft owners of the No. 15 pick. Pass catching options Brock Bowers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr., Keon Coleman, and Adonai Mitchell might all still be on the board once it’s time for the Colts to step up to the podium. Should that be the case, the front office should sprint to the podium and let it be known one of those guys will aid in making the unit that much more explosive.

The Colts defense proved to be of the ball hawk variety over the course of 2023-24 with it tallying 24 takeaways and 15 coming by way of the interception. With that, it comes with little surprise to see the pass defense (No. 16) outshining the run defense (No. 24) over the course of the regular season. The unit did however have major issues against the run serving up just short of 124 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game (No. 29). The defense is clearly void of run stuffers. Upper management would do itself and the defense a major solid if it loaded up on front seven help via the draft and free agency.

Indianapolis Colts Schedule & Results

In 1984 during the middle of the night, the Baltimore Colts snuck out of town with Mayflower moving vans to take up residence in Indianapolis, Indiana. For Baltimore fans, it was a personal tragedy. For residents of the Hoosier State, the Colts gave them a much-needed big league status.

The Baltimore Colts were one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Led by the famed Johnny Unitas at quarterback, the Colts put the NFL on the map with their overtime win at the New York Giants in the 1958 championship game. The Colts also suffered the greatest upset loss in history. In Super Bowl III, the New York Jets defeated the Colts 16-7 as 18.5-point underdogs. Baltimore went on to win Super Bowl V two years later.

Since 1995 the Colts have been one of the most successful franchises in pro football. Indianapolis has missed the playoffs just nine times since then. Of course, much of that success was due to Peyton Manning, who led them to two Super Bowl appearances with one win. Indeed, Lucas Oil Stadium is the House that Peyton Built.

Indianapolis Colts Past Seasons (2000)

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