Five games the Colts could have in prime time in the 2020 season

What games could the Indianapolis Colts have in prime time as the 2020 NFL Schedule is set to release?

The 2020 NFL Schedule is set to release later today, and the Indianapolis Colts have already teased a 7:30 eastern time release on social media before NFL Network’s schedule show. There have been a ton of leaks and rumors going around, but nothing will be confirmed until later in the evening.

The Colts have to face the NFC North and AFC North in 2020, which gives Indianapolis a lot of opportunities to play in prime time. The work general manager Chris Ballard has done in the offseason has this team ready to contend, and usually that is rewarded with a few primetime games.

Let’s look at five opponents on the Colts’ schedule that could end up leading to games in prime time.

1. Hosting the Ravens

This has to be at the top of the list. The Baltimore Ravens rattled off 12 straight wins to finish their season at 14-2, but got bounced in the divisional round of the playoffs. They reloaded very well in the offseason and are ready for another run.

The good news is the Colts have vastly improved in the offseason as well, bringing in Philip Rivers and DeForest Buckner while also getting more offensive weapons in house. This will be a big test for Indy, and should end up a primetime game once the schedule is released. Two AFC contenders doing battle at Lucas Oil Stadium is a no-brainer.

2. Hosting the Packers

This one could end up being “America’s Game of the Week” and set at 3:25 ET at some time during the season, but having a Rivers matchup with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers makes perfect sense on a Sunday night or Monday night.

The Colts look to put their best foot forward to contend for a Super Bowl berth in the AFC, and a test against the 2019 NFC runner-up will be a very good measuring stick. Watching the Indianapolis offensive line against the edge rushers of Green Bay will be awesome from start to finish.

3. A trip to Pittsburgh

There’s a definite drop off after the first two games, but it’s always a treat when the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers meet. Pittsburgh should be better in 2020 with Ben Roethlisberger back at the helm, and a defense that was one of the league’s best in 2019.

A duel between Roethlisberger and Rivers is always intriguing, and with the two at the tail end of their careers, a final duel should find its way to a primetime slot. It feels like one of those games slated for later in the year that gets flexed to Sunday night.

4. Another Potential Crossover

The other potential crossover game for the Indianapolis Colts to end up in prime time is with the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota had a large roster turnover in the offseason, especially with most of the corner room moving on and trading Stefon Diggs for a first round pick and more. The Vikings did add some talent through the draft to keep themselves afloat.

This is another game that will be in Lucas Oil, but thinking about two teams with good running games up against good front sevens, and quarterbacks who like to take shots down field? Sounds like firework potential under the lights.

5. Divisional Bout

Last, but perhaps most obvious, the Colts could easily end up with a primetime game against a division rival. Yes, they could end up playing the Jaguars on Thursday night, but in terms of a Sunday or Monday, facing off against the Texans or Titans is certainly possible.

Back in 2018, Indy faced off against Tennessee for the final wild card spot in week 17, and with an expected contested division at the top, there’s a chance a “first place on the line” game occurs in December between the Indianapolis Colts and either the Titans or Texans.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the schedule here at Horseshoe Heroes, along with film rooms, predictions, roster breakdowns, and more!