The Indianapolis Colts are drawing some real attention as a potential bargain in ESPN’s 2026 NFL betting outlook.
In his team-by-team guide, ESPN’s Tyler Fulghum described Indianapolis as “another team that feels undervalued in the market” and laid out three bets tied to the Colts: over 7.5 wins at -140, making the playoffs at +170 and Jonathan Taylor to win Offensive Player of the Year at 22-1.
That optimism traces back to how last season started before everything unraveled. Indianapolis jumped out to an 8-2 record and had the NFL’s best offense through 10 games, but injuries helped send the season off the rails and the Colts finished 8-9 after a seven-game losing streak.
The biggest blow came when Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 14.
Even with that collapse baked into the market, Fulghum’s view is that Indianapolis may be getting discounted a little too heavily heading into 2026. The playoff number at +170 reflects a team that has to bounce back from a late-season free fall, but the case for the Colts starts with the talent already in place.
Taylor is at the center of it. The Colts running back led the NFL in 2025 with 323 carries, 20 total touchdowns and 18 rushing scores, and he finished third with 1,585 rushing yards. Indianapolis signed him to a contract extension earlier in August, keeping one of the league’s most productive backs in the fold as the team tries to turn last year’s disappointment into a fresh run at the postseason.
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Peyton Manning Just Added A Surprising Twist To This Colts Return
Peyton Manning popped up in an unexpected place this week, sending a congratulatory video to former Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt after Vanderjagt was named head coach of the Indianapolis Capitols in the Continental Football League. For a fan base that still remembers the Manning era as one of the defining stretches in franchise history, it was a fun reminder that some of the old connections around that team still carry real weight.
Vanderjagt shared details about the conversation that led to the video, adding a little extra intrigue to a reunion that already had nostalgia baked into it. It is a smaller-footprint football move than the ones Colts fans usually track, but it still speaks to how much Manning's support means when a former teammate or colleague lands a new opportunity in the city. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Change Course Fast After Surprising Backfield Cut
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The shuffle comes with the Colts already carrying Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan and DJ Giddens in the backfield, along with Quenton Nelson, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Farmer and Dalton Tucker on the offensive line. Even at this stage, the team is still sorting through depth and versatility, and these kinds of moves can say as much about what the Colts want to protect as what they hope to develop next. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Still Have Two Big Opener Concerns Before Baltimore
Alec Pierces return to practice is one of the more encouraging signs for Indianapolis as the opener with Baltimore approaches, especially after the wideout spent the offseason recovering from ankle surgery. Pierce remains an important part of the Colts offensive picture, and general manager Chris Ballard has made it clear the team is still hoping a handful of injured players can be ready when the season starts.
The list includes rookie safety A.J. Haulcy, who was among the players not practicing, while Pierce, Tyler Warren and Josh Downs were on the field. With the opener drawing closer, the Colts are still sorting through a few health questions on both sides of the ball, and how those situations resolve will shape what the team looks like when the Ravens come to town. [Read more 🡒]