During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Indianapolis Colts easiest games are the focus.
Indianapolis Colts Easiest Games in 2016
16. Week 11, Tennessee Titans
It’s rough that the Tennessee Titans end up being the two easiest games on Indianapolis’ schedule, but it’s the truth. The Titans just aren’t going to be a very good team next year. The young Marcus Mariota can try all he wants, but with a mediocre running back duo and a shortage of talent on defense, the Colts should blow Tennessee away at Lucas Oil Stadium.
15. Week 7, at Tennessee Titans
The Titans had the worst record in the NFL at the end of the 2015 season, and while they collected plenty of future draft picks, they didn’t make a huge splash this off-season. Two or three years from now, the Titans might be contenders in the AFC South, but for now, the Colts aren’t sweating a trip to Tennessee.
14. Week 3, San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are the doormats of the AFC West. With the Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos on the other side of this list, San Diego is the second worst team on this side. Philip Rivers can try all he wants to carry the Chargers, but ultimately football is a team game, and it’s highly unlikely they’ll beat Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.
13. Week 5, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have a ton of potential, but a few crippling weaknesses. The additions of Danny Trevathan and Leonard Floyd should pump up the defense, but there are some questions on offense. 2015 first round pick Kevin White has yet to take the field in the NFL, and the offensive line is atrocious. There are questions about whether Jay Cutler is the right man to lead the Bears, and the Colts just feel more complete on paper.
12. Week 17, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have had their fair share of the hype this off-season, but ultimately, they’re not on the same page as the Colts. They added some great pieces in the draft, but nobody who has played yet. The Jaguars enjoyed some statistical success in 2015, but they still have a lot to prove before they’re taken seriously. More on the Jaguars in just a moment…
11. Week 1, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions will be without legendary wide receiver Calvin Johnson for the first time since 2006 when they take the field in week one against the Colts, and it’ll be interesting to see how they fare. The biggest criticism of quarterback Matthew Stafford has been that he’s had the privilege of playing with Johnson. Without their best player, and with holes on defense, the Lions shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, especially not in Indianapolis.
10. Week 4, at Jacksonville Jaguars
Playing a tough and talented young team on the road is never easy. The Jaguars are expected to be a much better team in 2016, though nothing is set in stone.
9. Week 14, Houston Texans
The hardest “easy game” is the Week 14 home bout against the Houston Texans. The Texans are still the defending AFC South champions, and with the best defensive player in football in J.J. Watt ruining quarterbacks in Texas, Andrew Luck and the Colts will need to give their all in this game.
Two years ago, the Colts were in the AFC Championship game. If they plan on returning this year, they’re going to have to make sure they win the easy games, especially in the division. As is often the case, this team will live or die on the arm of its young quarterback. Whether Luck finally breaks into the stratosphere and carries his team to the promised land remains to be seen.
Be sure to check out the eight most difficult games on the Colts schedule.
