A particularly weak schedule could help the Colts return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. Indianapolis is slated to matchup with the AFC and NFC East divisions in 2018. If they take advantage of these weaker teams, January football could be in their future.
Four games versus the AFC East. Four games versus the NFC East. Six games against the AFC South. Two games versus the third ranked teams in the AFC West/AFC North.
These contests make up a 16 game schedule that may give the Colts a fighting chance at amking the playoffs. Indianapolis’s strength of schedule comes in ranked 22nd with opponents holding a record of 124-132 in 2017.
In other words, the Colts have the tenth-easiest schedule in the National Football League. A schedule full of winnable games, and a few challenging matchups that will test the young roster.
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To break down the schedule further, I categorized the Colts 16 games into tiers 1-3. Tier 1 games are contests against tougher and more experienced opponents, or games the Colts will most likely lose.
Tier 2 matchups are games in which I expect the Colts to be competitive, but are not easy victories.
Finally, the games against inferior opponents, that I expect the Colts to win, are categorized as tier 3.