ESPN has raised concerns that the Indianapolis Colts could face a rocky start to the 2026 NFL season, with a schedule that reads like a gauntlet of elite competition right out of the gate.

The Colts kick off the season at home against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, followed by a Sunday Night Football showdown with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. That's two MVP quarterbacks in the first two weeks—a test that would challenge any defense.

But the challenges don't stop there. Weeks three through five feature a disruptive Houston Texans defense, a trip to London to face the Washington Commanders, and a road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With three away games in the first five weeks, Indianapolis will need to be road warriors early on.

ESPN Colts insider Stephen Holder didn't mince words about the potential struggles ahead. "Look for September to be a rough month for the Colts," he wrote. "The combination of Jones' return from injury and the difficult opening schedule raises the prospect of an 0-3 start for Indy, even though the Colts were an offensive juggernaut when at full strength last season. Indianapolis faces a presumably healthy Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and the vaunted Houston defense in its three September games."

For a Colts team that many see as in a now-or-never window, a slow start could be devastating. Falling behind early would force them into catch-up mode—a risky strategy in a league where every game counts toward playoff contention. As fans gear up for the 2026 season, all eyes will be on Indianapolis to see if they can weather this early storm and prove the doubters wrong.