{"id":70636,"date":"2019-08-14T16:46:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T20:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=70636"},"modified":"2019-08-14T17:00:28","modified_gmt":"2019-08-14T21:00:28","slug":"indianapolis-colts-difficult-games-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/08\/14\/indianapolis-colts-difficult-games-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Indianapolis Colts Most Difficult Games of 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Indianapolis Colts<\/a> 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<\/a><\/strong>, offensive guard Quenton Nelson<\/a><\/strong>, and center\u00a0Ryan Kelly<\/a><\/strong>. The team signed veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and drafted\u00a0Parris Campbell\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>to add to their pass-catching corps. Franchise quarterback\u00a0Andrew Luck<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is currently nursing an ankle injury, but reports state that he will be ready for Week One. The defense added veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston<\/a> <\/strong>to an impressive defense led by defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0linebacker Darius Leonard<\/a><\/strong>, and defensive back Malik Hooker<\/a><\/strong>. 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<\/a>. Let’s take a look at the Colts’ most difficult games of the upcoming season.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts Easiest Games of 2019<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts: Difficult Games of 2019<\/strong><\/h1>\n

1. Week 15: @ New Orleans Saints<\/h3>\n

A trip to the Louisiana Superdome is always a daunting task, but particularly tough on prime-time. The Colts travel to New Orleans late in the season to take on the Saints on Monday Night Football. The Saints remain one of the most balanced teams in football. They have added veteran tight end Jared Cook<\/a><\/strong>, who helps fill one of the few holes on this roster. This is the most challenging game of the season for the Colts. It could potentially be a preview of the Super Bowl. Expect a shootout between two of the best offenses in the NFL – this should be one of the most anticipated games of the season.<\/p>\n

2. Week 5: @ Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n

The Colts have another road game against a Super Bowl contender in one of the toughest places to play. The Chiefs will continue to have the most explosive offenses in the NFL. They added even more speed to an already electric receiving corps with the drafting of wide receiver\u00a0Mecole Hardman<\/strong><\/a>. The defense lost pass-rushers Justin Houston and\u00a0Dee Ford<\/a><\/strong>, but replaced them with\u00a0Frank Clark<\/a><\/strong>. The Chiefs hired\u00a0Steve Spagnuolo\u00a0<\/strong>to be their new defensive coordinator. “Spags” has had success in the past, most notably during his tenure with the New York Giants. We can expect their defense to be improved with this coaching change. This should be another exciting game between two elite teams.<\/p>\n

3. Week 9: @ Pittsburgh Steelers<\/h3>\n

The Steelers remain one of the best teams in the AFC. The loss of wide receiver\u00a0Antonio Brown<\/a><\/strong> will end up being addition-by-subtraction because his diva-like attitude was a major distraction for the team in 2018. The offense will continue to be pass-heavy and effective, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger<\/a> <\/strong>and wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster<\/strong><\/a>. James Conner<\/a> <\/strong>showed the league that he can carry the load for the running game. On defense, they drafted play-making linebacker Devin Bush<\/a><\/strong> in the first round, filling the void left by the injury to\u00a0Ryan Shazier<\/a><\/strong>. This is going to be a very good defense. The Colts will have a tough time winning this game against another Super Bowl contender.<\/p>\n

4. Week 1: @ Los Angeles Chargers<\/h3>\n

The Chargers have a balanced team that could conceivably be one of the league’s best. Their defense is among the best in the NFL, led by pass-rushers Melvin Ingram<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Joey Bosa<\/a><\/strong>, as well as defensive backs\u00a0Casey Hayward<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Derwin James<\/a><\/strong>. The offense is loaded with weapons, even if running back Melvin Gordon<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>continues to hold out. Quarterback Philip Rivers<\/a><\/strong> can throw to stud wide receiver\u00a0Keenan Allen<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and red-zone threats\u00a0Mike Williams<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Hunter Henry<\/a><\/strong>. The Colts’ offensive line will have their hands full trying to slow down this pass-rush. Hopefully, for their sake, Andrew Luck is ready to go in Week 1.<\/p>\n

5. Week 12: @ Houston Texans<\/h3>\n

The Texans look like the main competition for the Colts in the AFC South. Quarterback\u00a0Deshaun Watson <\/strong><\/a>remains one of the most exciting players at the position. The team has a nice set of weapons with\u00a0DeAndre Hopkins<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Will Fuller<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Keke Coutee<\/a><\/strong> to go along with\u00a0Lamar Miller<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Duke Johnson<\/a><\/strong>. While the defense could be without\u00a0Jadeveon Clowney<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(currently holding out), but as long as they have\u00a0J.J. Watt<\/a><\/strong>, they will remain a force to be reckoned with. A road game against a division rival is always difficult, so even if the Colts remain the favorite to finish first, this is still a tough game for them. They need a big game from Luck to win this one.<\/p>\n

6. Week 17: @ Jacksonville Jaguars<\/h3>\n

The Jags are an improved team with a significant quarterback upgrade from\u00a0Blake Bortles<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to\u00a0Nick Foles<\/a><\/strong>. Foles brings calm and poise to this offense – his addition bodes well for young receivers like\u00a0Dede Westbrook<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0D.J. Chark<\/strong><\/a>. The team needs running back Leonard Fournette<\/a> <\/strong>to stay healthy and help carry the load on offense.\u00a0The improvement on offense should help make the defense more effective.\u00a0The defense added pass-rusher\u00a0Josh Allen<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to an already loaded unit that includes pass-rushers\u00a0Calais Campbell<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Yannick Ngakoue<\/a><\/strong>, as well as defensive back Jalen Ramsey<\/a><\/strong>. The Jags will be tough to beat, especially at home. However, since this game is in Week 17, there’s a chance that they could be eliminated from contention.<\/p>\n

7. Week 13: vs. Atlanta Falcons<\/h3>\n

The Falcons continue to have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.\u00a0Matt Ryan<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Devonta Freeman<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Calvin Ridley<\/a><\/strong> present a major challenge for this Colts’ defense. The Falcons’ defense also gets linebacker Deion Jones<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and defensive back\u00a0Keanu Neal<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>for a full season, so they should be improved there too. The Falcons are definitely a contender in the NFC, but since this game is in Indianapolis, where the Colts are tough to beat, this game is one of the less challenging on this list. Expect a shootout between two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.<\/p>\n

8. Week 8: vs. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n

The Broncos are going to be tough to beat because of their strong defense and running game. Pass-rushers\u00a0Von Miller<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Bradley Chubb<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>are now coached by defensive mastermind\u00a0Vic Fangio<\/strong>. Phillip Lindsay<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Royce Freeman<\/a> <\/strong>are a terrific thunder-and-lightning combination at running back. Quarterback\u00a0Joe Flacco<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is a proven winner who can manage the game effectively. The Broncos will be a scrappy team that contends for a wild-card. The Colts should be able to win this game, but Denver is going to limit big plays in the passing game. This has the look of a low-scoring, close game.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts Easiest Games of 2019<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>