The NFL has announced the full three-game preseason schedule for the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the league’s teams.
Soon, the Indianapolis Colts will return for training camp, and shortly after, they will hit the field for some preseason football games. With the league extending the regular season to 17 games, each team now only plays three preseason games.
This season, the Colts will have one road preseason game and two at home. They start the year in New York taking on the Buffalo Bills and then return home to host the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Indy played both Tampa Bay and Buffalo last year in the regular season and also faced off against Detroit in last year’s preseason—a preseason where Indianapolis went 3-0. However, preseason football is more about player evaluation than it is about wins and losses.
The preseason matchups are set. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3oxq9gWs6P
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 13, 2022
Colts preseason schedule
- at Buffalo Bills, August 13, 4:00 pm ET
- vs. Detroit Lions, August 20, 1:00 pm ET
- vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, August 27, 7:30 pm ET
Things to watch for in Colts’ preseason
The opponents in the preseason really aren’t a factor, the focus will be more on Indianapolis growing together as a team. With a new defensive staff, the preseason will be especially important for the defense installing the new system.
Offensively, it will be a chance for new quarterback Matt Ryan to get a few live reps with the offense. The three games will also allow rookies like Alec Pierce, Jelani Woods, Bernhard Raimann, and Nick Cross on defense, the opportunity to get adjusted to the NFL.
Additionally, if there are any position battles for the Colts, preseason games will be the final test before a winner is announced ahead of the regular season.
While there will be a lot to work on in these three games, it’s still probably unlikely that Indy’s starters get many reps. The top units will likely see just a few series each game before subbing out and allowing the guys that are competing for roster spots to take the field.
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