The Indianapolis Colts approach the 2024 season with optimism and anticipation. Their 2023 season was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but instead, they won nine games and almost won the division. With improvements at almost every position, the 2024 season will produce several intriguing matchups for the Indianapolis Colts.
Within each season, teams play six games within their division and four games outside of their conference. Putting these matchups aside, the Indianapolis Colts play three AFC teams that could have some bearing on their push toward the playoffs.
Three Intriguing Matchups for the Colts This Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Colts will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at home in week four. This matchup is intriguing because, historically, Indy has struggled against the Steelers. Since Mike Tomlin became the head coach for the Steelers in 2007, the Colts have a 2-8 record against them. The most recent win came last season at home in blowout fashion. However, the Steelers were dealing with an outpour of injuries and did not have a stable quarterback. 2024 should be a different story as they traded for Russell Wilson in the offseason in hopes that he could get this team back to playoff contention. They also acquired Justin Fields, who is a flashy dual-threat quarterback, as their backup.
Russell Wilson’s record against the Colts is 2-2. In his two wins, he accumulated six touchdowns, two interceptions, and an average rating of 129.9. In the two losses, he accumulated two touchdowns, three interceptions, and an average rating of 66.8. It will be interesting to see which Russell Wilson shows up in this matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. This week-four matchup could be a foreshadowing of the tide turning for the Colts. They will have the opportunity to win two straight games against Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.
The New York Jets
The Indianapolis Colts are scheduled for one primetime matchup in 2024 against the New York Jets on the road in week 11. This will be intriguing because it is the only primetime game for the Colts and it is a game against a top-tier quarterback and top-tier defense. Before his season-ending injury in 2023, Aaron Rodgers was always considered elite. He is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in the league with multiple MVPs and a Super Bowl win. The Jets defense is also elite. They were one of the best against defenses in the league last season. In 2023, they ranked in the top 10 in almost every major category. They ranked first in passing yards per game, first in sack percentage, first in yards per play, ninth in touchdowns per game, and 10th in points per game.
The New York Jets is an AFC team that is in the running for Super Bowl contention. Therefore, this matchup and its primetime status will be a good test for Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts. If Indy wants to take the next step and make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, they have to beat teams like the Jets and do it on the road.
The New England Patriots
The Indianapolis Colts will face the New England Patriots in a week 13 matchup on the road. There are two intriguing factors with this matchup. The first is that the Patriots have new leadership and the second is that the Patriots will have a new quarterback. For the first time since 2000, the Patriots will be facing an opponent without Bill Belichick as their head coach. On top of being their head coach, Belichick was also the Patriots General Manager and was instrumental in putting together many Super Bowl teams. Along with a new head coach, the Patriots will also have a new rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, whom they selected third overall in this year’s draft.
Since 2000, the Colts have a 7-13 record against the Patriots. Their most recent win came last season in a 10-6 victory in Germany. The Colts will have the opportunity to beat the Patriots in two straight matchups for the first time since 2008 and 2009. This could also be the tide turning for them in their future matchups against the Patriots. In the last 24 seasons, New England has owned Indy. Therefore, this matchup could be crucial for the Indianapolis Colts franchise moving forward.
Main Photo: Clark Wade/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
