The Indianapolis Colts have their whole season in front of them, and while every game is important, some stand out more than others. Let’s see the most critical.
Week 1 – Baltimore Ravens
Things start out early. This game is important for two reasons. The first game is always important because teams want to get off to a good start. A loss isn’t the end of the world but 1-0 feels much better. The Ravens are a great test early on. After a down year, the Ravens are sure to bounce back. Beating them at home will set the stage
early.
Week 2 – at Kansas City Chiefs
At the Chiefs for the first road game of the season is a tough draw. Who knows about the health of Patrick Mahomes, but if he is ready to go, another test, in primetime, awaits the Colts in Week 2. If the Ravens’ game goes sidewise, this one is even more important.
Week 5 – at Pittsburgh Steelers
So, the theme so far is that things are starting off hot. Three of the potentially most important games come in the first five weeks. Pittsburgh has been almost impossible to win at for the Colts. Last year seemed like the year, but instead, a loss exposed a lot of holes in the 2025 Colts. They will have an early chance to get this series trending back in the right direction.
Week 8 – at Jacksonville Jaguars
Talk about impossible to win. The losing streak is going strong. How and why the Colts can’t win at Jacksonville is perplexing. The good news is they get a chance each year. Bad news is they have to play them every year in Florida. It seems like an automatic loss, but if the Colts can win there this year, it could be a sign of great things to come.
Week 11 – at Houston Texans
If the Colts are going to win the division, they need to win divisional games at home and on the road. Taking one from the Jaguars and Texans would go a long way towards achieving that goal. The Texans have been almost as difficult as the Steelers and Jaguars. Winning on the road against Stroud and that defense would go a long way in the back half of the season.
Every game can be argued as to its importance but these five seem to stand out. How the Colts fare in these five games will go a long way toward defining the success of 2026.
