The 2026 NFL schedule is officially here for the Indianapolis Colts, and as every savvy fan knows, it's not just about who you play—it's when and where you play them. Let's break down the good, the bad, and the ugly from how the schedule fell for the Horseshoe.
The Good: A Friendly Finish and Prime-Time Bounce Back
The Colts close out the regular season with two of their final three games at Lucas Oil Stadium. If history has taught us anything over the last few years, it's that Indianapolis often finds itself in must-win territory down the stretch. Having home-field advantage in December could be a game-changer. After playing just one prime-time game last season, the Colts doubled that in 2026. They'll host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football in Week 2 and travel to face the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football in Week 11. These spotlight moments not only energize the fan base but often bring out the best in the players on the field.
The Better: A Manageable Strength of Schedule
On paper, the Colts have one of the easier schedules in the entire NFL. They face only four teams that made the playoffs in 2025—among the fewest in the league. From Weeks 6 through 10, Indianapolis faces just one playoff team from last season. That midseason stretch presents a golden opportunity to stack wins and build momentum. For a team looking to re-establish itself in the AFC South, this is the kind of break that can define a season.
The Bad: A Daunting Start to the Season
A fast start feels like a must for the Colts this year, and they'll need to be at their absolute best right out of the gate. The first three games are a gauntlet: Baltimore, Kansas City, and Houston. Then it's off to London for a Week 4 matchup with Washington, followed by a road trip to Pittsburgh in Week 5. That's five tough opponents in the first five weeks, with two cross-Atlantic flights mixed in. A slow start could leave the Colts playing catch-up for the rest of the season—something no team wants to do.
The Ugly: A Late-Season Bye Week
In a perfect world, the bye week splits the season in half. That didn't happen for Indianapolis. The Colts chose to turn down the post-London bye in Week 5, and their bye instead landed in Week 13—the second-to-last possible week for a break. That means 12 consecutive games to open the season, a brutal stretch that tests depth, durability, and mental toughness. For Colts fans, this is the one part of the schedule that will have everyone holding their breath until Week 13 finally arrives.