{"id":70638,"date":"2019-08-14T16:59:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T20:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=70638"},"modified":"2019-08-14T17:24:34","modified_gmt":"2019-08-14T21:24:34","slug":"indianapolis-colts-easiest-games-of-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/08\/14\/indianapolis-colts-easiest-games-of-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Indianapolis Colts Easiest Games of 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/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<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>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 1. The defense added veteran pass-rusher\u00a0Justin 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 Difficult Games of 2019<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts Easiest Games of 2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

9. Week 14: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n

The Bucs should be an improved team under head coach Bruce Arians. They have a strong passing game with quarterback\u00a0Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong>, receivers\u00a0Mike Evans<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Chris Godwin<\/a><\/strong>, as well as tight end\u00a0O.J. Howard<\/a><\/strong>. The defense lost stud defensive tackle\u00a0Gerald McCoy<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0but replaced him with\u00a0Ndamukong Suh<\/a><\/strong>. They also drafted playmaking linebacker\u00a0Devin White<\/strong><\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

10. Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers<\/h3>\n

The Panthers look like an improved team with the best set of weapons that quarterback\u00a0Cam Newton<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has ever played with, led by running back Christian McCaffrey<\/a><\/strong> and young wide receivers\u00a0D.J. Moore<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Curtis Samuel<\/a><\/strong>. The defense also added stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy in free agency and drafted pass-rusher\u00a0Brian Burns<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

11. Week 7: vs. 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. 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.<\/p>\n

12. Week 11: vs. 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>. 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.<\/p>\n

13. Week 2: @ Tennessee Titans<\/h3>\n

The Titans have the look of a non-contending team with a bland offense and decent defense. Quarterback\u00a0Marcus Mariota<\/a><\/strong> has not been able to meet expectations, nor has wide receiver\u00a0Corey Davis<\/a><\/strong>. The Titans will look to run the football with\u00a0Derrick Henry<\/a><\/strong>. They have some pieces on defense like defensive lineman\u00a0Jurrell Casey<\/strong><\/a>, pass rusher\u00a0Harold Landry<\/a><\/strong>, and defensive back\u00a0Kevin Byard<\/a><\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

14. Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans<\/h3>\n

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\u00a0Ryan Tannehill<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

15. Week 4: vs. Oakland Raiders<\/h3>\n

The Raiders added wide receivers\u00a0Antonio Brown<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Tyrell Williams<\/a><\/strong>, as well as running back Josh Jacobs<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to help improve their offense. They also drafted\u00a0Clelin Ferrell<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and defensive back\u00a0Johnathan Abram<\/strong><\/a> in the first round to inject some young talent in a weak defense. They signed veteran safety\u00a0Lamarcus Joyner<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>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\u00a0Derek Carr<\/a><\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

16. Week 10: vs. Miami Dolphins<\/h3>\n

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<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and running back Kenyan Drake<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>have playmaking ability, but this team is going to struggle to put up points on the board. The defense is led by cornerback\u00a0Xavien Howard<\/a><\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

Colts Most Difficult Games of 2019<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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