Schedule Release: Colts Headed Overseas
The full NFL schedule will be released on Thursday, but the international games set for 2023 have been released. The Indianapolis Colts will be taking on the New England Patriots on November 12th in Frankfurt, Germany.
The NFL has been playing international games for years in London, but last year they ventured into Germany when the Seattle Seahawks took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year they played in Munich; this year they're headed for Frankfurt.
They liked it so much they decided to do it again. It's a little ironic to play a team called the Patriots decked out in red, white, and blue overseas, but maybe that was the point.
With the success the Patriots have had the last 20 years, they're one of the biggest draws in the world, even without Tom Brady.
By Week 10, we should have a good idea the direction the Colts season is taking. They're going to be a young team with 12 draft picks possibly making the 53-man roster.
New quarterback Anthony Richardson should have a better feel for Shane Steichen's system by the time the Colts head to Germany. With just one season as a starter at Florida, nine weeks in the NFL will nearly double his experience.
It's not just about Richardson though, the Colts have been highly praised for their draft class including a pair of ESPN pundits picking Indianapolis as the team with the biggest-impact draft class.
Expectations should be higher for the Colts after hitting rock bottom last season, and a trip to Germany mid-season could be two teams hunting the AFC playoffs rather than just expanding the NFL's brand in Europe.
Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft picks
- 1st: Florida QB Anthony Richardson (No. 4 overall)
- 2nd: Kansas State DB Julius Brents (No. 44)
- 3rd: North Carolina WR Josh Downs (No. 79)
- 4th: BYU OT Blake Freeland (No. 106)
- 4th: Northwestern DT Adetomiwa Adebawore (No. 110)
- 5th: South Carolina CB Darius Rush (No. 138)
- 5th: Cal S Daniel Scott (No. 158)
- 5th: Miami TE Will Mallory (No. 162)
- 5th: Northwestern RB Evan Hull (No. 176)
- 6th: Wagner edge Titus Leo (No. 211)
- 7th: Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones (No. 221)
- 7th: Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt (No. 236)