Andrew Luck retires: What does this mean for the new NFL season?

The National Football League has been rocked by the news that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is retiring at the age of 29.

The number one pick in the 2012 draft has struggled with a persistent shoulder injury in the last few years and missed much of the off-season with a calf problem.

The Colts are seven-point underdogs for their opening match of the season at the Los Angeles Chargers on September 8, although those prices could change when plans for his replacement are officially announced.

Jacoby Brissett, who was traded from the New England Patriots in 2017, looks set to start having played 15 of 16 matches for Indianapolis when Luck missed the whole of the 2017 season.

However, they won just four of those matches which was the third-worst record in the NFL that season.

Indianapolis recovered to enjoy a 10-6 winning season last term when it looked as if Luck was getting back to his best and they beat AFc South rivals the Houston Texans in the wildcard round before losing 31-13 at Kansas City in the Divisoinal Playoffs.

The Colts have been pushed out to 11-2 with Hills to win the AFC while the Texans are 11-8 with Betfair and BoyleSports to retain their crown.

The Tennessee titans, who finished with a 9-7 record last year are 4-1 with BoyleSports while the Jacksonville Jaguars are 11-4 with Betfair.

Reigning champions New England are 7-1 favourites to win the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs 8-1 and the New Orleans Saints 10-1.

The season kicks off with the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears at Solider Field on Thursday, September 6. The Packers are four-point underdogs.

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