Colts 2026 schedule: Way-too-early record prediction, picks
Jack McKessyIn 2026, the Indianapolis Colts' schedule features several intriguing matchups spread throughout the season.
Among the most interesting games are a Daniel Jones grudge match against the New York Giants in Week 12, and a return to Philly for head coach Shane Steichen – former Eagles' offensive coordinator – in Week 14. There's also a road clash with the Chiefs early in the season as Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes works his way back from a knee injury.
All three games – along with others on the schedule – are tests for a Colts team coming off a disappointing 2025 season. Indianapolis is looking to improve on its second straight 8-9 season, one which featured seven straight losses to end the year and no playoff berth.
Will Jones maintain his strong play for the Colts in Steichen's offense? Have the Colts done enough offseason work to warrant faith in an improved result in 2026?
USA TODAY Sports predicted how the Colts' season could pan out come the fall.
Indianapolis Colts record prediction 2026
Record prediction: 8-9
Indianapolis lost eight of its last nine games and seven in a row to end the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones also tore his Achilles in Week 14, and the Colts tried unsuccessfully to save the season by signing the previously retired Philip Rivers to start behind center. In the offseason, the Colts re-signed Jones and receiver Alec Pierce while parting ways with wideout Michael Pittman Jr. The biggest question now facing the team is whether Jones will continue playing well in head coach Shane Steichen's offense in 2026, after experiencing a career resurgence in 2025.
Colts game-by-game picks
- Week 1 vs. Ravens: LOSS
- Week 2 at Chiefs ("Sunday Night Football"): LOSS
- Week 3 vs. Texans: WIN
- Week 4 at Commanders (London): LOSS
- Week 5 at Steelers: WIN
- Week 6 vs. Titans: WIN
- Week 7 at Vikings: WIN
- Week 8 at Jaguars: LOSS
- Week 9 vs. Cowboys: WIN
- Week 10 vs. Dolphins: WIN
- Week 11 at Texans ("Thursday Night Football"): LOSS
- Week 12 vs. Giants: LOSS
- Week 13: BYE
- Week 14 at Eagles: LOSS
- Week 15 at Titans: LOSS
- Week 16 vs. Bengals: LOSS
- Week 17 at Browns: WIN
- Week 18 vs. Jaguars: WIN
Toughest game: Week 2 at Chiefs. This is partly a projection of the health status of each team's starting quarterback. Both the Chiefs and the Colts expect Patrick Mahomes and Daniel Jones, respectively, to be back by Week 1 of the season. Even assuming that's the case, Jones faces an uphill battle as a mobile quarterback coming off an Achilles injury and facing a defense that's been among the strongest in the NFL for years.
Easiest game: Week 10 vs. Dolphins. Miami blew up its roster in the offseason, parting ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Indianapolis shouldn't have trouble dispatching a Miami team in the midst of what is a clear rebuild year.
Must-watch matchup: Week 12 vs. Giants. For the first time since his unceremonious departure from Big Blue, Daniel Jones will play his former team in a home game in Indianapolis. How will he fare against his successor, Jaxson Dart, and new Giants head coach John Harbaugh? Will New York's formidable pass-rush attack give Jones problems? This one will draw heavy national interest despite being a 1 p.m. game.
Colts schedule 2026
- Week 1 (Sept. 13): vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET and CBS
- Week 2 (Sept. 20): at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. ET and NBC
- Week 3 (Sept. 27): vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET and CBS
- Week 4 (Oct. 4): at Washington Commanders, 9:30 a.m. ET. and NFL Network (London)
- Week 5 (Oct. 11): at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET and CBS
- Week 6 (Oct. 18): vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET and Fox
- Week 7 (Oct. 25): at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET and Fox
- Week 8 (Nov. 1): at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET and CBS
- Week 9 (Nov. 8): vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET and Fox
- Week 10 (Nov. 15): vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET and CBS
- Week 11 (Nov. 19): at Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m. ET and Amazon Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
- Week 12 (Nov. 29): vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET and Fox
- Week 13: BYE
- Week 14 (Dec. 13): at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET and Fox
- Week 15 (Dec. 20): at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET and CBS
- Week 16 (TBD): vs. Cincinnati Bengals, TBD and TBD
- Week 17 (Jan. 3): at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET and Fox
- Week 18 (TBD): vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, TBD and TBD
Colts home opponents 2026
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Giants
Colts away opponents 2026
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Minnesota Vikings
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Washington Commanders
Super Bowl 61 odds
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