Ricky Dimon
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Year one of the post-Andrew Luck era was not an absolute disaster for the Indianapolis Colts, but they missed the playoffs at 7-9. They have more time to prepare for a Luck-less season this time around, and as such they managed to sign veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
At 38 years old, does Rivers still have some magic left up his sleeve? Although the schedule is far from difficult, Indianapolis may not be good enough to capitalize. Let’s take a look at their chances week by week.
Week 1: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars aren’t any good. The Colts also aren’t any good. An opener between two bad teams at the end of a unique offseason is sure to be an ugly one. Go with the home team. Loss
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Although Indianapolis returns home in Week 2, the competition level increases dramatically. Minnesota will have too much defense for whatever Rivers brings to the table. Loss
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
The Colts should not have too much trouble finding the win column for the first time in Week 3. New York’s rebuilding process with quarterback Sam Darnold does not seem to be moving quickly. Win
Week 4: @ Chicago Bears
Indy’s second of two Super Bowl titles came at the expense of none other than Chicago, but Peyton Manning ain’t walkin’ through that door. Rivers won’t be able to solve this Bears defense. Loss
Week 5: @ Cleveland Browns
Although Rivers might still be better than Baker Mayfield even at this point in his career, Mayfield’s supporting cast is superior. The Browns will take care of business at home. Loss
Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati can’t possibly be any worse than it was in 2019, but this club still isn’t good enough to beat a decent or at least close to decent opponent on the road. Indianapolis cruises. Win
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: @ Detroit Lions
The Colts will win a couple of road games. Coming off a bye week, this is one of them. A battle between veteran quarterbacks will likely turn into a defensive struggle. Win
Week 9: vs. Baltimore Ravens
If the Colts can contain Matthew Stafford one Sunday earlier, they won’t be able to keep Lamar Jackson under wraps—not even at home. Baltimore will put this game away before the end of the third quarter. Loss
Week 10: @ Tennessee Titans
Indy’s toughest stretch of the season (Baltimore, Tennessee, Green Bay, Tennessee) continues with the team that knocked out both Baltimore and the New England Patriots from the playoffs last year. Loss
Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers
Licking their wounds from two consecutive setbacks, the Colts won’t be able to recover in Green Bay. Even a disgruntled Aaron Rodgers remains one of the best QBs in the business. Loss
Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans
A change of scenery will not matter for this matchup. They could square off in Antarctica and Derrick Henry would still give Indianapolis nightmares. Titans by double-digits. Loss
Week 13: @ Houston Texans
Sometimes you just have to wonder what Bill O’Brien is doing as head coach of the Texans. That being said, he still has Deshaun Watson at his disposal. Loss
Week 14: @ Las Vegas Raiders
Will there be any fans in the stands for the Raiders’ first season in Las Vegas? It might not matter. The Colts are good enough (and the opposition is bad enough) to prevail on the road. Win
Week 15: vs. Houston Texans
Houston is coming off a disastrous playoff collapse against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs followed by an even worse offseason. Indianapolis gets revenge with ease. Win
Week 16: @ Pittsburgh Steelers
If Ben Roethlisberger is still on the field come Week 16 (and that is by no means a certainty), Pittsburgh will make quick work of the visitors. Loss
Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Colts have booked dates with the Jaguars in 2020. If the first one results in a loss, the last one won’t. Of course, both squads will probably be out of it by this point so it may all come down to motivation—or lack thereof. Win
The Colts’ schedule is a rather bizarre one. A whopping 15 weeks separate their two meetings with AFC South rival Jacksonville. At the other extreme, they have only one week in between each pair of showdowns against Houston and Tennessee. Those four divisional contests take place within a span of just six weeks, and they will go an especially long way in determining how Indianapolis fares. The smart money is on another mediocre campaign; perhaps not terrible but also not good.
