The Indianapolis Colts finished the 2018 season on a 9-1 tear to end up with a 10-6 record and wild-card berth. This is a team with high expectations heading into the 2019 season. The Colts are a well-rounded group with Super Bowl aspirations, led by a high-octane offense and an improving defense. They return all five starters to their dominant offensive line, led by notable blockers like offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, offensive guard Quenton Nelson, and center Ryan Kelly. The team signed veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess and drafted Parris Campbell to add to their pass-catching corps. Franchise quarterback Andrew Luck is currently nursing an ankle injury, but reports state that he will be ready for Week 1. The defense added veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston to an impressive defense led by defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard, linebacker Darius Leonard, and defensive back Malik Hooker. This is a defense that has a chance to be among the best in the National Football League. The Colts have the 24th-most difficult schedule, according to Sharp Football’s Strength of Schedule Model. Let’s take a look at the Colts’ most difficult games of the upcoming season.
Indianapolis Colts Difficult Games of 2019
Indianapolis Colts Easiest Games of 2019
9. Week 14: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs should be an improved team under head coach Bruce Arians. They have a strong passing game with quarterback Jameis Winston, receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as tight end O.J. Howard. The defense lost stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy but replaced him with Ndamukong Suh. They also drafted playmaking linebacker Devin White, who can potentially win Defensive Rookie of the Year. This should be a shootout with big numbers for Luck and Winston. The Colts would be favored in this one, but it’s definitely the most difficult of this bunch.
10. Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers look like an improved team with the best set of weapons that quarterback Cam Newton has ever played with, led by running back Christian McCaffrey and young wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. The defense also added stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy in free agency and drafted pass-rusher Brian Burns in the first round. Burns has been lighting up camp and should make an immediate impact. If Cam can stay healthy, the Panthers will be a balanced team with high upside for 2019. They are only on this list because it’s a home game for the Colts.
11. Week 7: vs. Houston Texans
The Texans look like the main competition for the Colts in the AFC South. Quarterback Deshaun Watson remains one of the most exciting players at the position. The team has a nice set of weapons with DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, and Keke Coutee to go along with Lamar Miller and Duke Johnson. While the defense could be without Jadeveon Clowney (currently holding out), but as long as they have J.J. Watt, they will remain a force to be reckoned with. This game is lower on this list because the Colts are at home. They should be able to take care of business in this one.
12. Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are an improved team with a significant quarterback upgrade from Blake Bortles to Nick Foles. Foles brings calm and poise to this offense – his addition bodes well for young receivers like Dede Westbrook and D.J. Chark. The team needs running back Leonard Fournette to stay healthy and help carry the load on offense. The improvement on offense should help make the defense more effective. The defense added pass-rusher Josh Allen to an already loaded unit that includes pass-rushers Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue, as well as defensive back Jalen Ramsey. This game is lower on this list because the Colts will be at home here. It will be tough for Jacksonville to slow down this Indy attack at Lucas Oil Stadium.
13. Week 2: @ Tennessee Titans
The Titans have the look of a non-contending team with a bland offense and decent defense. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has not been able to meet expectations, nor has wide receiver Corey Davis. The Titans will look to run the football with Derrick Henry. They have some pieces on defense like defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, pass rusher Harold Landry, and defensive back Kevin Byard. However, I think that the Titans are clearly the worst team in this division. The Colts should be able to take care of business in this game, even on the road.
14. Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
A home game vs. the Titans later in the season is an even easier matchup for the Colts. Mariota has often missed time during the season, so there’s a chance that Ryan Tannehill is starting here. The Titans could also potentially be out of contention at this point of the year, so that could make it an even easier matchup. The Colts should be a heavy favorite in this one – I don’t expect the Titans to be able to keep pace with their high-octane, big-play offense here.
15. Week 4: vs. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders added wide receivers Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, as well as running back Josh Jacobs to help improve their offense. They also drafted Clelin Ferrell and defensive back Johnathan Abram in the first round to inject some young talent in a weak defense. They signed veteran safety Lamarcus Joyner to help shore up this secondary. Having said that, this team still does not have much of a pass-rush and I don’t believe in quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders still look like one of the worst teams in the NFL and I have doubts in their ability to keep pace with the Colts in this game.
16. Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are clearly tanking this year in an attempt to return to prominence through a full rebuild. This looks like the weakest roster in the NFL, with a lack of talent on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and running back Kenyan Drake have playmaking ability, but this team is going to struggle to put up points on the board. The defense is led by cornerback Xavien Howard, who is a shutdown corner, but they will be among one of the bottom units in the league. The Colts should be able to cruise to a victory in this matchup against the worst team in the NFL.
Colts Most Difficult Games of 2019
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
