Breaking down the Indianapolis Colts schedule

AP Photo/John Amis

The NFL schedule release is finally here, and we now know exactly who the Indianapolis Colts will face from September through January. Even with the Colts having one of the statistically easier schedules in the league, the challenges ahead are still clear as day. Teams across the NFL improved throughout the offseason, and no game on this slate feels guaranteed. 

So, while there is still a long wait before football officially returns, here is my breakdown of the Colts’ freshly released 2026 schedule. 

Week 1 – Baltimore Ravens – Home (Sept. 13th) 

The Indianapolis Colts start off with a bang, welcoming the Baltimore Ravens to Lucas Oil Stadium. It will also mark the first regular-season game under newly hired Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, making Baltimore one of the more fascinating teams to watch early in the season. 

The Ravens made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by signing Trey Hendrickson, a player the Colts were reportedly close to landing themselves before Baltimore swooped in late. Needless to say, Indianapolis will have its hands full on both sides of the ball. 

Lamar Jackson alone creates a wide variety of problems for any defense. His mobility, ability to extend plays, and comfort operating outside of structure will immediately test whether the Colts truly improved defensively this offseason. Indianapolis will need discipline from its linebackers and defensive backs alike if it wants to walk away with a Week 1 win for the second consecutive season. 

This matchup will also tell us quite a bit about the Colts as a whole. Has the linebacker room truly improved? Is Daniel Jones capable of returning to solid form following his Achilles injury? Can the Colts finally look like a legitimate AFC contender instead of a team hovering around the playoff conversation? 

Whether the Colts win or simply remain competitive, this game should provide an early glimpse into what kind of team they actually are. 

Week 2 – Kansas City Chiefs – Away (Sept. 20th) Sunday Night Football 

The Colts get their first primetime game in quite some time, and it comes against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. 

Oddly enough, this Chiefs team enters the season with something to prove. By their standards, 2025 felt underwhelming, and Patrick Mahomes will undoubtedly be motivated to remind the league why Kansas City has dominated the AFC for nearly a decade. 

Last season, the Colts were one of several teams that failed to finish against the Chiefs, surrendering a late lead at Arrowhead Stadium. This time around, Indianapolis hopes a healthy Daniel Jones can help stabilize the offense late in games. Shane Steichen’s “pass to score, run to win” philosophy only works when the quarterback position can consistently execute in pressure situations. 

Kansas City adding Kenneth Walker III alongside Mahomes only makes the offense more dangerous. If Mahomes truly returns healthy following the ACL injury concerns that lingered throughout portions of last season, the Chiefs could once again become one of football’s most complete teams. 

Still, slow starts have become somewhat common for Kansas City in recent years. If the Colts want to make a statement, this is the type of game where they cannot simply hope to survive. They need to walk in believing they can dictate the pace. 

At this point in the season, one question will continue to loom over Indianapolis: 

What kind of Colts team is this, really? 

Week 3 – Houston Texans – Home (Sept. 27th) 

One aspect of this schedule that benefits the Colts is how quickly they will discover who they are. There is no easing into the season. 

A divisional game this early against the Texans immediately raises the pressure level. If Indianapolis wants to seriously contend for the AFC South, then games like this cannot continue slipping away. 

The Texans have consistently found ways to frustrate the Colts over the last several seasons. Even in close games, Houston often appears more composed in the critical moments. That has to change. 

I believe the key matchup in this game lies in the trenches. Houston’s offensive line remains relatively young, and the Colts’ defensive front needs to take advantage of that. Creating pressure without constantly blitzing would make life far more difficult for C.J. Stroud, especially if the Colts can force him into obvious passing situations early. 

At some point, Indianapolis has to stop playing reactive football against Houston. The Colts need to force the Texans onto their heels instead of waiting to respond to adversity after it arrives. 

Week 4 – Washington Commanders – Away (Oct. 4th) 

The Colts travel to London in Week 4 to take on the Washington Commanders. Since this is technically a Washington home game, the environment should feel far more neutral than a traditional road matchup. 

London has always had a surprisingly solid Colt's fan presence, so I would not expect this to feel overwhelmingly tilted toward the Commanders. 

Still, Washington presents plenty of challenges. Jayden Daniels continues to develop into one of the league’s most dangerous young quarterbacks; Terry McLaurin remains one of the NFL’s most reliable receivers, and rookie linebacker Sonny Styles adds another explosive athlete to their defense. 

For Indianapolis, this game will heavily depend on consistency. If the Colts can establish the run game behind Jonathan Taylor while getting steady contributions from Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce in the passing attack, they should be able to control the pace. 

Defensively, this game becomes a major test for the revamped linebacker room. Mobile quarterbacks have hurt Indianapolis repeatedly in recent years, and Daniels thrives when plays break down. Making routine tackles, limiting explosive scrambles, and maintaining discipline in coverage will be crucial if the Colts want to leave London with a win. 

Week 5 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Away (Oct. 11th) 

There is no bye week waiting for the Colts after London. Instead, Indianapolis immediately heads into one of the toughest environments in football: Pittsburgh. 

That alone makes this a brutal stretch. 

While the Steelers’ quarterback situation remains somewhat uncertain, Aaron Rodgers still appears to be the likely starter. If that ends up being the case, former Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will undoubtedly have extra motivation facing his old team. 

Pittsburgh may not look drastically different from last season, but the Steelers continue to embody exactly what they always are physical, disciplined, and difficult to beat at home. 

The Colts’ offensive line must hold up far better than it did during last season’s matchup in Pittsburgh, where Daniel Jones spent most of the afternoon under relentless pressure. Indianapolis simply cannot allow the game to spiral that quickly again. 

Jonathan Taylor will also be central to this matchup. Last season, the Steelers successfully shut down a rushing attack that had otherwise been rolling. If the Colts want to become a more balanced offense this season, Taylor has to find ways to grind out difficult yards even against elite run defenses. 

Week 6 – Tennessee Titans – Home (Oct. 18th) 

How quickly can Robert Saleh reshape the Tennessee Titans? That question will begin to answer itself here. 

The Titans have added a noticeable amount of talent, but building a functioning football team takes time. Early in the season, Indianapolis should theoretically have the advantage in chemistry and continuity. 

Still, this cannot become one of those trap games the Colts routinely stumble through. If Indianapolis truly wants to establish itself as a contender, these are the games it must consistently win. 

The Colts should aim to overwhelm Tennessee physically and force the Titans into uncomfortable situations early. Young teams often struggle once momentum swings against them, and Indianapolis needs to capitalize on that if the opportunity presents itself. 

Week 7 – Minnesota Vikings – Away (Oct. 25th) 

This feels like one of the more underrated difficult games on the schedule. Minnesota remains one of the NFL’s more complete rosters, especially at home, where crowd noise consistently becomes a factor. 

The Vikings’ defensive structure under Brian Flores continues to create confusion for opposing quarterbacks, meaning this will likely be another important benchmark game for former Viking Daniel Jones. Handling disguised pressure looks and avoiding costly turnovers will matter significantly here. 

Offensively, the Colts may need to lean heavily on Jonathan Taylor and the short passing game to avoid allowing Minnesota’s defense to completely dictate the flow of the game. 

At this point in the year, Indianapolis should have a clear offensive identity. Week 7 becomes about whether that identity can hold up against playoff-caliber competition on the road. 

Week 8 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Away (Nov. 1st) 

Will this finally be the year the Colts break the Jacksonville curse? 

Second-year head coach Liam Coen is not planning on slowing down the Jaguars’ momentum, and Jacksonville remains one of the stranger road obstacles Indianapolis continually fails to overcome. 

By this stage of the season, the Colts should fully understand what type of football team they are. Whatever their strengths become offensively or defensively, this is the game where they need to lean into them unapologetically. 

Even when the Jaguars and Colts look fundamentally different on paper, history continues to repeat itself. Indianapolis walks into Jacksonville, struggles to establish rhythm, and eventually lets the game slip away. 

Daniel Jones especially needs this game. Winning in Jacksonville would represent more than just another divisional victory; it would symbolize Indianapolis finally pushing past one of the mental hurdles that has haunted this franchise for over a decade. 

Defensively, the Colts must find ways to consistently force Jacksonville off schedule. Whether through takeaways, pressure, or simply forcing repeated three-and-outs, Indianapolis cannot allow the Jaguars to settle comfortably into rhythm. 

If the Colts are truly younger, faster, and more disciplined this season, then this is the matchup where they finally prove it. 

Week 9 – Dallas Cowboys – Home (Nov. 8th) 

The Cowboys remain one of the league’s most talented and most unpredictable teams. 

Dallas can overwhelm opponents offensively when everything clicks, but they also tend to become vulnerable when forced into uncomfortable game scripts. That should be Indianapolis’ focus here. 

The Colts need to establish physicality early, especially at home. Controlling the line of scrimmage and keeping Dallas from turning the game into a shootout would greatly improve Indianapolis’ chances. 

This also feels like the type of game where Lucas Oil Stadium could become a true factor if the Colts enter November playing meaningful football. 

Week 10 – Miami Dolphins – Home (Nov. 15th) 

While this team is entirely different from last year's Miami team, it still holds virtually the same amount of pressure over the Colts. This team is committed to building around their new quarterback in Malik Willis, so this is a game Indianapolis should be able to win. 

Containing motion-heavy offenses has not always been a strength for Indianapolis in recent years, making this another important measuring-stick game defensively. 

The Colts cannot allow Miami to dictate tempo. Long, sustained offensive drives featuring Jonathan Taylor could become one of the best ways to keep the Dolphins’ offense off the field entirely. 

If Indianapolis can force Miami into obvious passing situations and disrupt timing early, this becomes a very winnable game. If not, the Dolphins are capable of turning games into track meets quickly. 

Week 11 – Houston Texans – Away (Nov. 19th) Thursday Night Football 

A short week makes itself known through another divisional showdown with Houston. 

For the past two seasons, the Texans have consistently had the Colts’ number. Even when games remain close, Indianapolis eventually finds ways to let Houston escape with a win. 

If the Colts truly want more than just a Wild Card appearance, these are the games that define whether they can finally take control of the AFC South. 

Looking back at previous matchups, consistency has been the biggest issue for Indianapolis. The Colts often create opportunities defensively, interceptions, fumbles, momentum-shifting plays, yet fail to capitalize offensively afterward. 

That cannot continue. 

Indianapolis must finish drives with touchdowns instead of field goals. Against teams like Houston, settling rarely works. 

The Colts need to play fast, maintain pressure offensively, and avoid becoming stagnant once they establish a lead. Above all else: 

Hold the lead. Do not get complacent. 

Week 12 – New York Giants – Home (Nov. 29th) 

The Jim Harbaugh era officially begins in New York, and by this point in the season, the Giants will likely look far more polished than they did early on. 

Harbaugh teams rarely stay irrelevant for long. When given talent, they compete. 

This is exactly the type of game the Colts cannot afford to mishandle. Indianapolis has developed an unfortunate habit in recent years of allowing young or rebuilding teams to linger around far longer than necessary. 

Containing players like Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart, and Avrell Reese becomes critical here. The Giants may still be developing, but their young talent is undeniably dangerous. 

For the Colts, this game should be about discipline and maturity. A playoff-caliber team handles business at home in late November. 

Steichen has beaten both the Harbaugh brothers before. He needs to do it again and convincingly. 

Week 13 – Bye Week 

The Colts have not always maximized late bye weeks in recent years, making this stretch particularly important. 

Ideally, Indianapolis reaches this point with momentum, confidence, and a strong understanding of its identity. If that happens, the bye week can become a chance to reset physically while sharpening focus for the playoff push ahead. 

The worst thing the Colts can do is repeat what happened late in 2025, when the team looked flat almost immediately coming out of its break. 

At this stage of the season, every detail matters. 

Week 14 – Philadelphia Eagles – Away (Dec. 13th) 

Shane Steichen finally gets his long-awaited revenge game against the franchise where he served as offensive coordinator from 2021 to 2022. 

There will be no shortage of storylines surrounding this matchup. 

Can the Colts stay healthy deep into December? Will the Eagles still look like one of the NFC’s elite teams? And perhaps most importantly, can Indianapolis prove it belongs in the same tier as teams expected to contend for a Super Bowl? 

Philadelphia’s physicality alone presents a challenge. The Eagles consistently dominate at the line of scrimmage, and Indianapolis will need to match that intensity for four full quarters. 

This feels like the kind of game that reveals whether the Colts are merely improved, or genuinely dangerous. 

Week 15 – Tennessee Titans – Away (Dec. 20th) 

Late-season divisional games are almost always uglier than expected, and this matchup could easily fall into that category. 

By this point, Tennessee’s younger roster should be more comfortable within Saleh’s system, making this far more difficult than the earlier meeting in Indianapolis. 

The Colts will need composure here. Road divisional games in December rarely come easy, especially against teams looking to spoil playoff positioning. 

Week 16 – Cincinnati Bengals – Home (TBD) 

If Joe Burrow is healthy, this immediately becomes one of the most dangerous games on the schedule. 

Cincinnati’s offense can put pressure on defenses in waves, meaning Indianapolis will need one of its most complete defensive performances of the season to stay in control. 

This game could also carry major playoff implications for both teams. Late December football at Lucas Oil Stadium with postseason stakes attached should create one of the best atmospheres of the year. 

Week 17 – Cleveland Browns – Away (Jan. 3rd) 

Cold-weather football in Cleveland during January is rarely enjoyable for opposing teams. 

This game could very easily turn into a physical, defensive battle where mistakes become magnified. The Colts’ ability to protect the football and maintain composure in adverse conditions will matter tremendously. 

At this stage of the season, style points disappear. Winning ugly becomes perfectly acceptable. 

Week 18 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Home (TBD) 

How fitting would it be if Jacksonville once again impacted the Colts’ season in Week 18? 

By this point, playoff implications could very realistically be attached to this matchup for both franchises. 

The Colts get Jacksonville at home to close the regular season. That matters. Lucas Oil Stadium should be electric if Indianapolis enters the final week fighting for playoff positioning or a division title. Sustaining momentum, and handling pressure in meaningful moments. 

This schedule gives them every opportunity to prove they belong. Now they have to take advantage of it. 

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