The late great John Madden preached that the most important preseason game is the next to last one. And nearly all NFL coaches support the Madden NFL betting odds theory. Starters and key performers usually get their highest playing time in the next to last preseason game. By contrast, the final week of the preseason has become a farce as a virtual final tryout game for marginal players. Thus, this week is the best week of the preseason. And the Indianapolis Colts are one of the teams to keep an eye on for the 2023 NFL preseason.
2023-24 NFL Super Bowl Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +600 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +850 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +950 |
| Buffalo Bills | +900 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +900 |
| New York Jets | +1400 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1400 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1800 |
| Detroit Lions | +2200 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +2500 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +2500 |
| Miami Dolphins | +2500 |
| Cleveland Browns | +2800 |
| Denver Broncos | +3500 |
| New Orleans Saints | +3500 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +4000 |
| Green Bay Packers | +4000 |
| New York Giants | +4400 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +4500 |
| All Other Teams | +5500 or higher |
2023 NFL Week 2 Schedule
- Browns at Eagles | Aug. 17 (7:30 p.m.), NFL Network
- Panthers at Giants | Aug. 18 (7 p.m.), NFL Network
- Bengals at Falcons | Aug. 18 (7:30 p.m.)
- Jaguars at Lions | Aug. 19 (1 p.m.), NFL Network
- Dolphins at Texans | Aug. 19 (4 p.m.), NFL Network
- Bills at Steelers | Aug. 19 (6:30 p.m.)
- Bears at Colts | Aug. 19 (7 p.m.), NFL Network
- Buccaneers at Jets | Aug. 19 (7:30 p.m.)
- Titans at Vikings | Aug. 19 (8 p.m.)
- Patriots at Packers | Aug. 19 (8 p.m.)
- Chiefs at Cardinals | Aug. 19 (8 p.m.)
- Broncos at 49ers | Aug. 19 (8:30 p.m.)
- Raiders at Rams | Aug. 19 (9 p.m.)
- Cowboys at Seahawks | Aug. 19 (10 p.m.), NFL Network
- Saints at Chargers | Aug. 20 (7:05 p.m.), NFL Network
- Ravens at Commanders | Aug. 21 (8 p.m.), ESPN
Specifically, a key sportsbook matchup this week is the Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts Saturday night on NFL Network. At the onset, Indianapolis’s new head coach Sheane Steichen arrives. So too, does first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson. Richardson was not the most coveted QB in the draft. But many NFL scouts believe he has the most potential upside.
Following an exhaustive search, the Colts chose a hot offensive coordinator. The Eagles’ Shane Steichen shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. The longer the search went on, the less likely owner Jim Irsay would stick with his interim choice, Jeff Saturday. And Steichen checks some very important Pro football betting odds boxes. Especially for a team that has been adrift in the quarterback sea. Since Andrew Luck’s stunning retirement just before the 2019 season.
The Colts took Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick in April’s draft. Steichen’s star has risen along with the Eagles and Jalen Hurts. To illuminate, the offense was third in scoring and yards per game.
Previously, Steichen has built offenses for Philip Rivers, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts. They are all different quarterbacks but also good quarterbacks. Of great concern is that a quarterback has not developed when working for Steichen. He has a relationship with Gus Bradley. And will get to keep a solid defensive coordinator with head coaching experience.
In sum, Indianapolis will be a popular play in preseason 2023. Steichen has given the franchise immediate juice with fans and gamblers. So too, has Richardson given everyone a chance to turn the page.