Indianapolis Colts: 3 trap games on the 2021 schedule

Indianapolis Colts fans likely had the NFL’s schedule release circled on their calendars for quite some time. Not only is it one of the biggest days of the offseason, but they simply had to know how good of a chance the team has at returning to the playoffs and making some noise.

Unfortunately for fans, league schedule-makers clearly wanted Indy to have the most difficult start to 2021 imaginable, as the Colts open with five straight games against teams (the Seahawks, Rams, Titans, Dolphins, and Ravens) that won at least 10 games last year.

If the Colts can get through that gauntlet with a 3-2 record, that would be a huge win. With that being said, however, the unforgiving start to the season could potentially evoke some complacency against the lesser teams on their schedule.

Taking that into account, it only seems fitting that we highlight the three biggest trap games on the Colts’ 2021 schedule.

Here are three trap games on the Colts’ 2021 schedule.

3. Week 17 vs Raiders

In merciful fashion, schedule-makers decided to take it easy on Indianapolis down the stretch of the regular season, as their final three games will be against Arizona, Las Vegas and Jacksonville, which are three teams they should beat.

Speaking strictly in terms of their Week 17 matchup, however, it’s widely expected that the Raiders, who overhauled their entire offensive line and some of their defense this offseason, will be eliminated from playoff contention at that point in the season.

Despite that, however, we fully expect them to get up for this game against the Colts. After all, they could have a chance to play spoiler assuming Indy gets off to a slow start and needs a couple wins over the final weeks to get over the hump and clinch a playoff berth.

The Colts could lose their Week 17 matchup vs Las Vegas if they don’t take them seriously.

We know the Colts routed the Raiders in their lone matchup last season, but it’s worth noting that they’ll be coming off a brutal two-game stretch against New England and an Arizona team on the rise, the second of which will be on the road, so they’ll have to travel back home across the country before Las Vegas comes to town.

The Raiders’ front office clearly has no idea what they’re doing from a roster-building perspective, but we wouldn’t put it past the likes of Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, and Yannick Ngakoue, each of whom are capable of taking over a game single-handedly, to make things interesting in Week 17 against the Colts.