The Indianapolis Colts' 2026 schedule is bookended by two defining stretches.
The Indianapolis Colts' schedule was announced on Thursday evening, and there were some immediate glaring takeaways.
They will be nationally televised at least three times: a Sunday Night Football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, an international game against the Washington Commanders in London in Week 4, and a Thursday Night Football game against the Houston Texans in Week 11.
However, to start the season, things will be a steep challenge for the Colts, who hope to have quarterback Daniel Jones under center as he continues his recovery from a 2025 Achilles injury.
Five of their first eight games are on the road, including London, with their bye not coming until much later. The Colts hit the road again in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The away slate is generally tough, with three separate road back-to-backs throughout the season, compared to just one home back-to-back.
GAUNTLET TO START
Weeks 1-9 feature matchups against three 2025 playoff teams: the Texans (12-5), Steelers (10-7), and Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4). The Colts went 0-5 in matchups against those teams.
The stretch also includes games against teams with high-end quarterback talent that are projected to be much better in 2026 than they were in 2025: Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (8-9), Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (6-11), Jayden Daniels and the Commanders (5-12), and Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1).
Sep 7, 2025;Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) celebrate a touchdown in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images A CHANCE TO FINISH STRONG
On the other hand, there is an advantageous stretch in the back half of the schedule.
Five of the Colts' final nine games are at home, including Week 18.
Weeks 10-18 feature matchups against three playoff teams — the Texans (12-5), Philadelphia Eagles (11-6), and Jaguars (13-4) — but two of those are division games.
The other five games are against teams that went a combined 25-60 (.294): the Miami Dolphins (7-10), New York Giants (4-13), Tennessee Titans (3-14), Cincinnati Bengals (6-11), and Cleveland Browns (5-12).
The Colts also have a mini-bye between Weeks 11-12 (10-day stretch between Thursday Night Football and the next Sunday), as well as their actual bye in Week 13, so they have plenty of time to rest as they gear up for the final five games of the season.
With their final four games of the season all coming against AFC opponents, and the final game being at home against the AFC South rival Jaguars, each game carries significant weight toward the playoff standings.
Down the stretch, it's up to the Colts to ensure that they control their own destiny.