2023 Indianapolis Colts schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Indianapolis Colts schedule. Per NFL research, Colts opponents had a 124-162-2 record in 2022 (.434 win percentage), making their schedule the fourth-easiest in the league.

Circle these dates: Week 3 @ Ravens (Sept. 24), Week 9 @ Panthers (Nov. 5)

An Anthony Richardson vs. Lamar Jackson matchup in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens could be highly entertaining. Richardson was compared to Jackson by some scouts during the predraft process, and seeing how the rookie quarterback fares against a former league MVP could be worth the price of admission.

Indianapolis’ Week 9 game against the Panthers is intriguing because there was a chance, small as it was, that Carolina could have drafted Richardson instead of Bryce Young. Head coach Frank Reich reportedly loved Richardson’s raw athleticism and high upside while watching his game film. How enthralling would this matchup be if Richardson ended up in Carolina and Indy landed either Young or C.J. Stroud?

Toughest stretch: Weeks 14-15

There aren’t many occasions where the Colts are playing more than two difficult games in a row. The toughest of those instances comes in consecutive games against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15.

The Bengals are built to beat teams through the air, and after trading top cornerback Stephon Gilmore to Dallas and adding six rookie CBs, the Colts likely don’t have the firepower to stop Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. The same could be said for containing Pittsburgh’s passing attack, which added Georgia tight end Darnell Washington to go along with Dionte Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth. While Steelers QB Kenny Pickett had an up-and-down rookie season, his supporting cast is a lot better this year.

Easiest stretch: Weeks 16-18

Indianapolis has a nice setup in ending the season with three winnable games against the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans, respectively. Turning the keys over to Desmond Ridder (or Taylor Heinicke should he struggle), Atlanta is taking a big gamble on its second-year QB. The Falcons could be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 by the time they play Indy in Week 16.

With Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury history, there’s a good chance the Colts are prepping for either Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell in Week 17. Houston likely will have nothing to play for in the regular-season finale, and this could be a game where the Colts turn Richardson loose.

Wild card: Week 1 vs. Jaguars

The Colts haven’t won a season opener since a 21-17 win over the Raiders in 2013. It’s also just the fourth time over that 10-year span that they open the season at home. While the division champion Jaguars aren’t the easiest Week 1 opponent, Indianapolis has a few things playing in its favor. 

Jacksonville is just 1-3 in its last four season openers, and the Jags have dropped their last two road openers. The Colts also have home-field advantage, and it could be a packed house if Richardson gets the season-opening start.

The Colts full 2023 season schedule is below: