The Indianapolis Colts are coming off an impressive campaign despite finishing the season one game short of a playoff appearance.

Having made a 9-8 run with a first-year head coach and without their starting quarterback, the Colts are feeling optimistic about their chances of returning to the playoffs.

Vic Tafur of The Athletic agrees with that notion, viewing the Colts as one of the best bets to exceed their projected total of 8.5 wins in 2024.

We are excited about Anthony Richardson, plus the Colts somehow had the best defensive player in the draft — Laiatu Latu — fall into their laps. Shane Steichen is one of the better play-callers in the league and was sorely missed in Philadelphia, while defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has done a nice job. They won nine games last season when Richardson was hurt and Gardner Minshew II filled in, and they re-signed 10 of their 13 unrestricted free agents. What are we missing?

Who knows how the Colts would have done with the electric Richardson under center during his rookie season. He seemed to be finding his groove right before the shoulder injury ended his campaign after just four starts.

Richardson is healthy, though, despite a late offseason scare with some shoulder soreness. The Colts beefed up the offensive line and added a playmaker in the form of Adonai Mitchell.

The defensive side of the ball has its share of question marks in the secondary due to the unit’s lack of overall experience, but some of those concerns could be quelled by a stout defensive line.

The Colts will go as Richardson goes but if things go according to plan, at least matching their total of nine wins should be in the cards for Indy.

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