Does Flacco change Colts' season-long outlook?

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

The Colts pulled the plug on their 2023 fourth overall pick after 10 starts, benching Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco.

It's awfully early to give up on a top-five pick - even Bryce Young got a full season's worth of work before his benching. But the Colts believe Flacco gives them a better chance to compete for the playoffs than Richardson, their mistake-prone, out-of-shape sophomore.

Flacco went 4-1 as a starter with the Browns last season and 1-1 with the Colts this year while Richardson was injured.

Despite some flashes early in his rookie season, the start of Richardson's career has been ugly. He's 5-5 but has completed only 50.2% of his passes, thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, and owns an abysmal 68.6 passer rating. A shoulder injury ended the Florida product's rookie season, seemingly stunting his development.

The Colts have enough talent to earn a playoff spot, but Richardson, who took himself out because he was too tired in Sunday's loss to the Texans, hurt their chances more than he helped. Flacco's proved he can still win games in his 17th season.

Indianapolis is taking a win-now approach, even though this move could hurt Richardson's development and fracture the club's relationship with the 22-year-old. But oddsmakers aren't buying that this will alter Indy's season-long outlook, as its props remain unchanged following the announcement:

The Colts are 4-4 and two games behind the Texans for the AFC South lead. They're currently right on the outskirts of the playoff picture but are in the mix in what will likely be a tight wild-card race, with more than half the season remaining.

Competing for the AFC South crown is a long shot, but earning a playoff spot and winning five of their last nine games is doable. The Colts have a difficult stretch approaching: their next four games are against the Vikings, Bills, Jets, and Lions. Then the load lightens dramatically: Indy finishes the season vs. the Patriots, Broncos, Titans, Giants, and Jaguars. Indy's playoff odds will likely lengthen over the next few weeks, so interested bettors would be wise to wait until the end of its brutal stretch.

Flacco's age could eventually catch up to him, but the 39-year-old has a 102.2 passer rating and has thrown seven touchdowns with just one interception this season.

The Colts are 5-point road underdogs against the Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Luckily for Flacco, Minnesota has the NFL's third-worst passing defense.

The Richardson experiment ended earlier than anyone anticipated, and now Flacco will try to bring a third franchise to the postseason.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.