Colts vs. Bills prediction and odds for NFL Preseason Week 1 (Richardson's First Start)
By Josh Yourish
It’s almost a certainty that Anthony Richardson will be the Week 1 starter in the regular season for the Indianapolis Colts, but we do know for sure that he will be starting Week 1 of the preseason.
We won’t get to see the quarterback that could be the next Josh Allen against Josh Allen because the Buffalo Bills will be starting Kyle Allen on Saturday, but this is still one of the most intriguing preseason games.
You only get one first impression and this will be AR15’s. The Colts are favored on the road in Richardson and Shane Steichen’s preseason debut.
Colts vs. Bills odds, spread and total
Colts vs. Bills prediction and pick
It’s not just that the Colts are debuting their starting quarterback they’re also debuting a new head coach in Shane Steichen, so it’s hard to know what on earth we’re going to get from them. The Colts don’t have a ton of wide receiver or running back depth, especially with Jonathan Taylor out and their offensive line is still questionable, so while this may seem like a game that would easily go over its total with a dynamic first-round quarterback on the field I’m not so sure it will.
The Bills also don’t have a lot of dynamic offensive playmakers, especially considering that Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs won’t be seeing the field. Buffalo however, does have a very deep group of pass-rushers even with Von Miller still working his way back from his injury last year. They’ll be able to rotate through multiple early-round picks on the defensive line who aren’t necessarily the starters. AJ Epenesa, Greg Rousseau, and Boogie Basham both have a lot to prove in this preseason with veterans like Shaq Lawson and Leonard Floyd on the roster.
The Bills will also be relying on Matt Barkley in the second half who will most likely be taking a lot of the reps in this game. None of this sounds like a lot of points will be scored even with Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger the backups in Indianapolis. I’ll bet the under, but I’m incredibly excited to see what Richardson can do in this one and I’ve already bet him to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.