Can the Colts eclipse their 2025 projected win total? One prediction doesn’t think so.

The Athletic’s Vic Tafur predicted whether each NFL team would finish over or under their projected win totals for the 2025 season. When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, Tafur isn’t too excited about this year’s team as he took under 7.5 wins.

“It seemed like Jones was already winning the job even before Richardson tweaked his bad shoulder,” wrote Tafur. “The Colts can run the ball and we like Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. at receiver, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren is another nice target that Jones will totally over- or underthrow at a crucial moment.”

Tafur continued, “Lou Anarumo was once a hot name at defensive coordinator, but the Bengals fired him and he inherits a strong defensive line and added nice pieces in the secondary in Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum. The middle is not a good place to be, and the Colts have reached at least seven wins in four of the last five seasons — and they nail that number this season.”

Ultimately, when there are unknowns at the game’s most important position, it’s going to be difficult to find believers in that team.

Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson will be battling it out in training camp for the starting job. Realistically, Jones is going to enter camp with the upper hand after taking the bulk of the first-team reps during offseason programs while Richardson was sidelined.

So Richardson, with less time, has to hit the ground running, but what took place in OTAs and minicamp won’t be the determining factor in who starts Week 1. The biggest thing Shane Steichen is looking for is consistency.

As we’ve detailed before, while there are unknowns at quarterback, looking at the Colts’ roster as a whole, there is a lot to like. The offensive line play has been stout, Jonathan Taylor was one of the most productive backs in football last season, the Colts added Tyler Warren at tight end, and they have a deep wide receiver unit.

The defense should be upgraded as well, not only with the additions of Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward, but also due to hiring Lou Anarumo, who brings a more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme to Indianapolis.

To win games this season, the Colts don’t need great play from under center. They need steady play. And whether that comes from Jones or Richardson, if they can find some stability, they should be in a position to win games in 2025.

However, until we see that actually take place, I can understand the skepticism Tafur has.