Jeff Saturday Earning Rave Reviews Following First Colts Practice

The Indianapolis Colts have taken a lot of heat this week after hiring Jeff Saturday to replace Frank Reich as head coach. While Saturday enjoyed a distinguished career as a player, he had no NFL coaching experience whatsoever before taking the role with his former team, making him seemingly underqualified.

Based on initial reports of Saturday's first week on the job, however, maybe the Colts know what they're doing after all.

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According to beat reporter Zak Keefer, Indy's first practice under Saturday was more "spirited" than usual. It also sounds like Saturday is holding his players accountable for their mistakes and pushing them to improve.

While Saturday may not be the long-term answer at head coach, he could be what the Colts need to turn things around this season before it's too late. Indianapolis enters Week 10 in second place in the AFC South at 3-5-1 and could still make the playoffs with a strong second half.

Whatever Reich was doing with the Colts didn't seem to be working very well, so perhaps the team just needed a fresh voice.

Saturday's first real test will come on Sunday when his team travels to Las Vegas to take on the struggling Raiders (2-6). The Colts are listed as 4.5-point underdogs for that game on FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL odds, but don't be surprised if Indy's reinvigorated squad pulls off the upset.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.