The Indianapolis Colts have two distinct histories: decades of success in Baltimore, then a new chapter in Indianapolis that produced one of the great quarterback eras. They play indoors, which matters when reading their odds. Here's the guide.
Who the Indianapolis Colts are
City and stadium
The Colts began in Baltimore in 1953. In 1984, the team moved to Indianapolis in a famous overnight relocation. The Colts play at Lucas Oil Stadium, opened in 2008, which has a retractable roof. Indianapolis is also known for its basketball and motor racing heritage.
Famous eras
- Baltimore glory: quarterback Johnny Unitas led the Colts to NFL championships in 1958 and 1959. The 1958 title game against the New York Giants, won in overtime, is often called "The Greatest Game Ever Played" and helped make pro football a national TV sport.
- Super Bowl V: the Baltimore Colts won Super Bowl V after the 1970 season.
- The Manning era: after drafting Peyton Manning in 1998, Indianapolis became a perennial contender. The Colts won Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 season and reached Super Bowl XLIV.
- Rebuilding cycles: since then, the franchise has had a mix of playoff seasons and transitions at quarterback.
Rivalries
In the AFC South, the Colts face the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans twice a year. Outside the division, the New England Patriots rivalry defined the 2000s, with memorable playoff battles between Manning and Tom Brady.
How to read odds on Colts games
Favorite or underdog
Colts -3.5 (-105), moneyline -180: implied 180 ÷ 280 = 64.3%. Colts +3.5 (-115), moneyline +155: implied 100 ÷ 255 = 39.2%.
Dome vs outdoor
Lucas Oil Stadium's roof is usually closed in poor weather, so Colts home games are rarely affected by conditions. Totals at home reflect the teams more than the weather. On the road late in the season, the Colts may play outdoors in the cold.
Worked example: crossing the hook
Colts -3.5 against an AFC South rival. If the Colts win by exactly 3, a frequent NFL margin:
- Colts -3.5: loses
- Opponent +3.5: wins
Compare with Colts -2.5 at a higher price, say -130:
- Break-even at -130: 130 ÷ 230 = 56.5%
- Break-even at -105: 105 ÷ 205 = 51.2%
Moving from -3.5 to -2.5 costs about 5 percentage points of break-even rate, but turns every 3-point win from a loss into a win. Whether that's worth it depends on how often you think a 3-point margin happens in this game. See point spreads explained.
Quarterback transitions
The Colts' history shows how much quarterback play changes a franchise's fortunes. In seasons with uncertainty at quarterback, lines can move sharply on news. See reading injury reports.
Season-long markets
In the AFC South, division odds are worth a look. If the Colts are +200 to win the division, the implied chance is 100 ÷ 300 = 33.3%. Ask how much of that depends on quarterback health, and whether the schedule front-loads tough road games. Indoor home games remove weather risk, so the second half of the season can be less disruptive for an indoor team, though road games in cold cities still come up. See championship odds explained.
What to check before picking Colts games
- Starting quarterback, and how experienced the starter is.
- Offensive line health, a strength or weakness in different eras.
- Roof and indoor conditions at home; weather on the road.
- Division spots against AFC South rivals.
- Rest and travel, including short weeks.
- The price. See value betting.
Practice with play money
Colts games are a good way to learn how quarterback news shapes lines. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Colts games and see how the spread and moneyline react to news. Browse the odds page.
FAQ
When did the Colts move to Indianapolis?
In 1984, after more than 30 years in Baltimore.
How many Super Bowls have the Colts won?
Two: Super Bowl V as the Baltimore Colts and Super Bowl XLI as the Indianapolis Colts. They also won NFL championships in Baltimore before the Super Bowl era.
Does Lucas Oil Stadium have a roof?
Yes, it has a retractable roof, so home games are usually played in controlled conditions.