As the NFL released the 2026 season schedules this past week, much of the attention was eyeballed on the many creative and humorous videos produced by the teams. While that is part of the fun the NFL offers the fans, the teams themselves, in a more serious spirit, know exactly who they must prepare for.Â
In the AFC South, the Colts know they must deal with the Tennessee Titans, a team with superstar potential in Cam Ward, but an unproven head coach, and one of the least skilled rosters, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jags are looking to capitalize on winning the division last season on the shoulders of Trevor Lawrence, and the Houston Texans, who boast the league's most suffocating defense, but with CJ Stroud, who may or may not have already hit his ceiling.Â
The Indianapolis Colts will face a stacked roster, a top defense, and a 3x Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
The Jaguars and Texans will present the Colts with enough problems next season, while the Titans are still in the early stages of a rebuild. That said, setting aside two away games in Houston and Jacksonville, there are three out-of-division away games that should give the Colts plenty of problems.
Philadelphia Eagles (the stacked roster)
On paper, the Eagles are one of the best teams in the entire league. Just reading the slew of names on both defense and offense should scream Super Bowl contenders. For instance, on offense: A.J. Brown (for now), DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and of course, Jalen Hurts, not to mention an offensive line stacked with Pro Bowlers.Â
On defense, it's another who's who list of elite talent, especially at cornerback and safety. The Eagels have elite starters and excellent depth everywhere; they're simply fully stacked. They weren't able to put it together last season after winning the Super Bowl two years ago, though.
The Colts will come into Philadelphia hoping the Eagles are still in their funk, and hopefully, without Brown at wide receiver. If the Eagles are playing to the level their depth chart suggests they should, it could be an unrestful day for the Colts in Week 14.
Minnesota Vikings (the top defense)
The Vikings' defense was already at the top of the league, alongside the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and the Texans. All that was missing was a quarterback to connect with superstar wideout Justin Jefferson. With Kyler Murray, they might have found what they (and Jefferson) need.Â
Minnesota's defense is expected to be just as good as they were last year, but many are suggesting that the offense could also take a giant leap with Murray at quarterback. The Murray-Jefferson combo has no film, yet could wind up being one of the NFL's best passer-catcher duos next season.
The Colts will not only have to contend with a top-five defense, but also an offense that could light up the scoreboard, and all of that could take place in Week 7.
Kansas City Chiefs (the 3x Super Bowl-winning quarterback)
The Colts might strike some early luck when they travel to Kansas City, only if Patrick Mahomes isn't fully recovered and ready to play. The Chiefs are the Colts' Week 2 opponent, so a Mahomes-less Chiefs squad may be real.Â
That said, should Mahomes be ready for the start of the season, a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback with maybe the NFL's best head coach in Andy Reid is no easy way to get things going for the Colts.Â
In fact, considering they face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 and the Texans in Week 3, the Colts are in danger of starting the season 0-3. A date with the Chiefs only adds more pressure. Fully healthy, the Chiefs immediately become a championship contender, and the Colts could have trouble slowing down a team looking for redemption.Â
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