The Indianapolis Colts' final seven-game stretch features matchups with the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks, Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers, and four AFC South games.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts are in the midst of their most successful season since the days of Peyton Manning. Elite players and some good teams have come and gone over the years, but everything has come together in 2025 for the Colts to begin their season 8-2, with an offense putting up unrivaled numbers and a defense that is much improved from the year prior.
The Colts do pass the eye test of a good team. They have four dominating wins over poor teams, all by 20-plus points. However, they've also split, 2-2, with teams who would be in the playoffs if they began today, and the Colts' two losses were both within one score.
With that being said, we're about to find out a lot about the Colts as they complete their bye this week and then face the final seven games of their schedule.
According to ESPN's NFL Power Index, the Colts had the second-easiest schedule through their first 10 games. However, now, Indy has the second-hardest remaining schedule, behind only the Denver Broncos.
Here is a preview of the Colts' final regular-season stretch.
WEEK 12 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-4)
It's Patrick Mahomes, it's Andy Reid, it's Steve Spagnuolo. Although the Chiefs are currently just a game over .500 and began the season 2-3, you can never take them lightly. Mahomes has been playing at an MVP level for much of the season, with contributions from Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown in the passing game. If the Colts get cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion) back from Injured Reserve in time for this matchup, it could be one of the games of the year.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, November 23, at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
WEEK 13 VS. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-5)
This is the first of two Texans matchups for the Colts, and just because it's been a down year for Houston does not mean the Colts will win this handily. The Texans' defense is as good as ever, holding top league ranks in yards and points, as edges Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. both hold 7.0-plus sacks and eight-plus tackles for loss. Will Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud be back from his recent concussion issues in time for this game?
The game is scheduled for Sunday, November 30, at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
WEEK 14 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-4)
The Colts will also be playing the Jaguars for the first time in 2025 this late in the season, as the Colts have four AFC South matchups shoved into the back seven. The Colts infamously haven't won on the road against the Jaguars since 2014 — that's 10 tries! The Colts have had some really good teams during this stretch, while the Jags have had some truly awful ones; it hasn't mattered. Will the streak end this year? Jacksonville is a truly unpredictable team, as you never know what you'll get from stars Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr. on a weekly basis, and superstar rookie Travis Hunter is out for the season with a knee injury.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
WEEK 15 @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-2)
Not to be hyperbolic, but this is a potential Super Bowl preview. The Colts and Seahawks have each been at or near the top of their conference standings throughout the season, and both have incredibly redeeming qualities on both sides of the ball that could propel them wherever they want to go. With quarterback Sam Darnold completing over 70% of his throws, and with a yards-per-attempt just under 10.0, the Seahawks offense is top-10 both in yards and points. The same can be said for their defense, featuring a deep line playing staunch football.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, December 14, at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
WEEK 16 VS. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-4)
The atmosphere for this game should be electric, as long as both teams keep winning more often than not. It's a home Monday Night Football game for the Colts, who will be donning their "Indiana Nights" uniforms. It's also Jonathan Taylor vs. Christian McCaffrey, a matchup that could be explosive. San Francisco has been snake-bitten with injuries, however, as pillar players such as Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Mykel Williams are all currently on IR.
The game is scheduled for Monday, December 22, at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
WEEK 17 VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-4)
Week 17 should carry significant weight for the Colts, and they have a division matchup in their way. If the Colts haven't secured a playoff spot by this point, it almost certainly will be a win-and-in scenario. If they are already in the playoffs, there's a significant chance that this game will carry playoff-seeding ramifications.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, December 28, at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
WEEK 18 @ HOUSTON TEXANS (4-5)
This game could mean everything, or nothing at all. The Colts could already have a playoff spot and seed placement locked in, meaning they could rest players. They could also be playing for a top seed still, which could allow them to get a first-round bye and ensure the AFC playoffs run through Lucas Oil Stadium. Similarly, the Texans could still be alive in the race and be playing for a playoff spot.
The game is part of flex scheduling, and its date, time, and television channel have yet to be determined.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.
