The 2026 NFL schedule was released for the Indianapolis Colts, and while the release itself was perfection, the path ahead is wrought with peril. Like all seasons, teams can go a totally different direction than the previous year, so nothing is easy to predict. With that said, the first third of the season is potentially so brutal that it could create some major disruption and cost players and personnel their jobs if things stumble out of the gate.
Baltimore took a step back last year but still made
a late-season push with a healthy Lamar Jackson. Expect him to be back and have the Ravens in the upper echelons of the AFC. A new coach in Baltimore might be the only break the Colts get to open the schedule. The Texans and Steelers in the first five could spell trouble as well. The Texans have owned the Colts in previous years, and the Steelers have always owned the Colts. Playing in Pittsburgh again should make fans wince.
The Chiefs game is slated for Sunday Night Football. That’s odd because who the heck is at quarterback for either team? This is a huge question mark for the Colts. Shane Steichen better have whichever quarterback suits up ready to go. Patrick Mahomes or not, Arrowhead is a difficult environment. Let’s throw in a road game in London against a down but not out Commanders team, with the cherry on top being that the Steelers game follows with no bye in between.
This isn’t to say the Colts won’t win any of these games. It simply points out that the degree of difficulty to start is high. If they can go 2-3, 3-2, or better, they will be fine. Start with one or fewer victories and the patience for Steichen and Chris Ballard might vanish. Neither man should have a long leash this year, and a slow start might be the death knell. Steichen needs his quarterback ready, and Ballard better hope the rest of the team steps up as well.
Looking towards the start of a new season is always exciting. To say I am not a little nervous about the start would be a lie, though. The bar isn’t low in Indy, so if the Colts can at least survive the first five weeks, there is hope. Perform, and the band stays together a little while longer. We might be in store for the inverse of last year, however. If that occurs, Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard might not be with the Colts to conclude the year.
