The Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 schedule was finally revealed Thursday night, and for a team trying to recover from last season’s collapse, the NFL didn’t exactly offer an easy reset.
After opening 8-2 in 2025 before spiraling to seven straight losses, Indianapolis now faces one of the league’s toughest opening stretches: Baltimore, Kansas City, and Houston in the first three weeks.
With quarterback Daniel Jones recovering from a torn Achilles, the possibility of adding to that 0-7 finish and making it a 10-game regular-season losing streak feels very real.
There’s no guarantee Jones will be fully healthy by Week 1, and even if he’s available, his mobility likely won’t return immediately.
Still, the Colts avoided a quirk that hurt them last season, when the schedule packed nearly all their toughest opponents into the final few months. This time things get easier after the opening stretch. Starting Week 9, the Colts get three of four games at home, followed by a Week 13 bye.
So, what should we expect in 2026? Let’s go game-by-game and predict every final score of the Colts’ 2026 schedule.
Colts 2026 Regular-Season Schedule
Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 2: Sept. 20 at Kansas City Chiefs (SNF)
Week 3: Sept. 27 vs. Houston Texans
Week 4: Oct. 4 vs. Washington Commanders (London)
Week 5: Oct. 11 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6: Oct. 18 vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 7: Oct. 25 at Minnesota Vikings
Week 8: Nov. 1 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 10: Nov. 15 vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 11: Nov. 19 at Houston Texans (TNF)
Week 12: Nov. 29 vs. New York Giants
Week 13: ByeWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 15: Dec. 20 at Tennessee Titans
Week 16: TBD vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 17: Jan. 3 at Cleveland Browns
Week 18: TBD vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 1 vs. Ravens
The Ravens are the first opponent on the Colts’ 2026 schedule. Baltimore opened as a 3.5-point road favorite, and they’ll be an especially tough foe given Jones’ injury situation. He’ll likely be shaking off rust and operating with limited mobility.
Indianapolis could be starting two rookie defenders against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. That’s a difficult formula against a Ravens team expected to contend.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Colts 17
Week 2 at Chiefs
The Chiefs are certainly one of the toughest opponents on the Colts’ 2026 schedule. Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December, but the NFL clearly expects him to be available if Kansas City is hosting Sunday Night Football in Week 2.
Indianapolis finds more success offensively against a Kansas City defense that saw both starting cornerbacks sign with the Rams this offseason. Opening against two of the NFL’s juggernauts, however, proves too difficult.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Colts 24
Week 3 vs. Texans
The Texans are the first AFC South rival on the Colts’ 2026 schedule. Indianapolis has lost five straight to Houston, and the Texans remain one of the NFL’s most complete teams defensively after allowing the fewest yards in the league last season. Jones should look more comfortable by Week 3, but Houston’s defense controls the game in a low-scoring battle.
Prediction: Texans 17, Colts 14
Week 4 vs. Commanders (London)
This is the lone overseas game on the Colts’ 2026 schedule. The out-of-the-gate gauntlet is over. Time for a 4,000-mile road trip to London. The Commanders have a rough stretch of their own — at Eagles, at Cowboys, Seahawks — to start the season, so both teams could be desperate. Facing a healthy Jayden Daniels is a scary thought, but this is the week things get on track.
Jones looks like his early-2025-season self. Jonathan Taylor dominates a suspect Commanders run defense. Indianapolis rolls.
Prediction: Colts 38, Commanders 27
Week 5 at Steelers
The Mike McCarthy-era Steelers have two monster wide receivers in DK Metcalf and former Colt Michael Pittman, both 6-foot-4 and more than 223 pounds. The question is: Who’ll be throwing them the ball? Mason Rudolph is currently QB1, but even if Aaron Rodgers returns, well, he’s 42. The wheels started coming off the Colts’ 2025 season when Jones struggled mightily in Pittsburgh, but he gets revenge here.
This time it’s Rodgers who can’t hang onto the ball.
Prediction: Colts 24, Steelers 21
Week 6 vs. Titans
The early-season gauntlet is over, and Indianapolis begins stacking wins. The Colts haven’t lost to Tennessee since 2022, and that streak continues behind a balanced offensive performance from Jones and Taylor. Rookie defenders CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy are developing into key contributors.
Prediction: Colts 31, Titans 17
Week 7 at Vikings
Quarterback whisperer Kevin O’Connell led the Vikings to a winning record last season with J.J. McCarthy at the position. If he can get Kyler Murray to improve his game, watch out. The Vikings allowed the fewest passing yards in the league last season, and a good game from Taylor isn’t enough to offset Murray-to-Justin Jefferson.
Prediction: Vikings 33, Colts 20
Week 8 at Jaguars
The Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014 — one of the NFL’s strangest active streaks. Last year’s loss there was especially painful after Jones suffered his Achilles injury. Indianapolis keeps this one close, but the Colts manage to drop another one in Jacksonville.
Prediction: Jaguars 24, Colts 23
Week 9 vs. Cowboys
Dallas can still score points, but questions remain defensively despite an impressive offseason. Sauce Gardner helps neutralize CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens grows frustrated after a few errant passes, and the Colts deliver one of their most complete performances of the season at home.
Prediction: Colts 35, Cowboys 20
Week 10 vs. Dolphins
The Colts get a breather, as rebuilding Miami’s thoughts have already turned to grabbing Arch Manning in the draft. The Dolphins’ run defense remains a major issue, as Taylor takes over this game behind a dominant Colts offensive line.
Prediction: Colts 40, Dolphins 23
Week 11 at Texans
At 5-5, Indianapolis enters a pivotal Thursday night matchup knowing it must finally beat Houston to stay alive in the AFC playoff race. With Jones looking healthier and more mobile than he did early in the year, the Colts finally break through.
Prediction: Colts 21, Texans 17
Week 12 vs. Giants
The extra rest following Thursday Night Football pays off. Jones enjoys one of his best performances of the season against his former team, which is improving under new coach John Harbaugh, while Taylor exploits New York’s vulnerable run defense.
Prediction: Colts 36, Giants 28
Week 13: Bye
The timing works perfectly for Indianapolis as the playoff race intensifies.
Week 14 at Eagles
Philadelphia remains one of the league’s most complete rosters, and the Colts haven’t beaten the Eagles since 2006 — though it’s only been four games. That drought continues in a difficult road environment.
Prediction: Eagles 34, Colts 21
Week 15 at Titans
Tennessee is improving under Robert Saleh, and this matchup is far tougher than the first meeting. Tight end Tyler Warren becomes the difference-maker, finishing with two touchdowns as Indianapolis completes the season sweep.
Prediction: Colts 24, Titans 21
Week 16 vs. Bengals
The Bengals struggled defending tight ends last season, and Warren takes advantage again. Still, Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins come up with late heroics, handing Indianapolis a crushing home loss that puts its playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Prediction: Bengals 38, Colts 35
Week 17 at Browns
Cleveland’s roster is improving after back-to-back impressive draft hauls, but quarterback remains the Browns’ biggest weakness. Facing a must-win situation, Jones delivers in the clutch with a late touchdown pass to Josh Downs.
Prediction: Colts 24, Browns 21
Week 18 vs. Jaguars
The Colts’ 2026 schedule ends against the Jaguars. Everything comes down to the regular-season finale. Enter Week 18 at 9-7 with a playoff berth on the line. Trailing late, Jones launches a deep shot to Alec Pierce streaking behind the defense, sending Lucas Oil Stadium into chaos. A 0-3 start transforms into a postseason berth.
Prediction: Colts 31, Jaguars 28
Final Prediction
Colts Record: 10-7
Result: Wild-card playoff berth