The 2026 NFL schedule is set to be revealed on Thursday, May 14th, and just like last year, the Indianapolis Colts have a fortuitous one. Their schedule is tied as the fourth-easiest in the league, and while teams that were bad in 2025 will rise and teams that were good last year will fall, walking in with a .465 opponent winning percentage is a good place to be to turn things around. This year must be different, however. They must take full advantage.
Last year, I made predictions when the actual
schedule came out, and while I botched some of the individual games, the feel was spot on. One possibility saw the Colts on the higher end, collecting 8-9 victories. While I need to see the actual schedule before feeling comfortable in such a prediction, it could be a similar situation with room to improve.
Dates with the Ravens and Chiefs seem more challenging than last year as both teams could be set for major rebounds. What success does Kyler Murray find in Minnesota? Do the Commanders reverse course as well? The Jaguars were hot last year. Historically, they can be ice cold as well. What about the Texans? Will they catch fire like they did down the stretch or settle closer to the mean? So many variables heading into a new season, and while the top and bottom may shift, the middle should remain consistent. If the Colts can start out of the gate quickly (maybe not 8-2) and not fade down the stretch (maybe avoid losing out to end the year), then they might have something to get fans talking again.
The schedule is extremely predictable while at the same time being a total unknown. We know who and where the Colts will play in 2026. In two days, we will know when. From there, a lot can happen in between as the underperforming teams look to right the ship while last year’s surprising studs seek to hang on. Having an “easy” schedule on paper guarantees nothing, but it is a much rosier outlook for now heading into it with the fourth-easiest. The Colts better be ready to take full advantage of it.
