How Hard is the Indianapolis Colts Schedule?

Pro Football Focus ranked all of the schedules in the NFL. Where did the Indianapolis Colts come in?

The Indianapolis Colts finished 4-12-1 last season after a 3-2-1 start. They had the fourth-worst record in the NFL. However, they don't get a last-place schedule because the Houston Texans were even worse last year.

The AFC South is considered the second-worst division in the NFL this year, and they are matched up with the worst division, the NFC South.

With 10 games against the two worst divisions in football, it stands to reason the Colts would have a relatively easy schedule this season. 

Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks the Colts schedule third easiest behind the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. 

Projected win total: 7.5
Easiest game: Week 2 vs. Houston Texans
Hardest game: Week 14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The AFC South is not a particularly strong division, and the Colts could take advantage of it. Their first two games come against division rivals, and the stretch of games after their Week 11 bye is not difficult outside of the road game against the Bengals.

-- Amelia Probst, Pro Football Focus

The Colts finished ahead of the Texans despite Houston getting the benefit of a last-place schedule, because the Texans don't get to play the Texans. 

Houston is considered to have the sixth-easiest schedule, but the Colts and Titans (fifth) are considered better teams and have the benefit of playing the Texans twice.

Having an easy schedule is no guarantee for success. The Colts schedule was also ranked third easiest last year after the season, not before. If Houston improves, if the teams in the NFC South are better than expected, the Colts easy schedule won't look so easy at the end of the year.  

Indianapolis Colts 2023 Schedule

The Colts begin the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars before traveling to Houston and Baltimore. They'll likely be underdogs in two of those three games and maybe all three.

They'll need to survive the early part of their schedule while rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson adapts to the NFL. If they can sneak in a couple of early wins, they have a chance at making a playoff run as their young team begins to gel.