Online Betting Handicappers Note Colts Injury. An injury that may go under the radar with most fans has gotten the attention of online betting handicappers. The Indianapolis Colts will be without All-Pro center Jeff Saturday for at least two weeks and perhaps as many as six weeks. The Colts rely heavily upon Saturday who has missed only six games since 2000 and they could struggle vs. Internet betting odds without him.
Online betting odds in the regular season will favor Indianapolis in most games since they are the favorites to win Super Bowl XLV. The preseason odds won’t favor the Colts because Indianapolis doesn’t play many starters and they don’t have a quality backup quarterback behind Peyton Manning. The injury to Saturday won’t affect preseason odds but it could be a factor if he misses the regular season opener. Colts owner Jim Irsay said that Saturday could miss six weeks and if that is the case he would miss the season opener at Houston and he would also miss the Week 2 game against the New York Giants.
He would return for the game in Week 3 at Denver. If Saturday misses the first two games it would be a huge loss. Neither of the first two games will be easy vs. online betting odds. The Texans are considered the top threat to the Colts in the AFC South and winning on the road is not easy. Without Saturday leading the offensive line the Colts could struggle. The following week against the Giants won’t be easy either.
As you look at Internet betting odds on Indianapolis in the regular season remember to check the status of Saturday. If he is out for any time during the regular season you may want to avoid betting on the Colts. He is that important to Peyton Manning and the offense.
Saturday had arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and it was unclear how long he would be out. The Colts did not say exactly when they expected him to return although Irsay did say it could be six weeks. The team will have to rely upon Jamey Richard at center until Saturday returns to the lineup. The Colts have also been missing rookie lineman Jacques McClendon and veteran tackle Charlie Johnson. The team picked up rookie Adrian Martinez off waivers from Seattle and they signed rookie James Williams. The early part of the online betting season could be a struggle for the Indianapolis offensive line.