NFL schedule-makers might have accidentally turned the Indianapolis Colts' flow of games into a piece of genius. Indy is 4-1, its best start since 2009, and could be 5-0 except for a couple of critical errors by wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. But they aren't alone atop the division.
Moreover, the team Indianapolis is tied with at 4-1 isn't the one many would expect: the Houston Texans. After a rough start to 2025, the Texans have rebounded to win their last three games. They cannot be counted out of making a run at a third straight title.
Still, the Colts' real challenger appears to be another upstart. The somewhat rebuilt Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-1 after a stunning victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 5. Just when the Jags were trying to do the most-Jags thing ever and give the game away, quarterback Trevor Lawrence somehow stumbled into the end zone for a 31-28 win.
Indianapolis Colts versus the Jacksonville Jaguars is shaping up to be must-watch football
But the greatness of the schedule will come into play. Both Indianapolis and Jacksonville should remain near the top of the division until their first meeting, but that won't happen until Week 14. In other words, the Colts and Jaguars will play twice in the final five games for each team.
The next two months should only help set up what should be must-watch football on December 7, the first time Indy and Jacksonville face off. Assuming most of the key players stay healthy, there is no reason that the Colts might only have three or four losses by that point, maybe fewer.
The Jaguars have a bunch of very winnable games ahead. They face a banged-up Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 6, and then face a good Los Angeles Rams team. After that, the Jags could go on a bit of a roll.
The Indianapolis Colts versus the Jacksonville Jaguars should become must-watch football for not just Indy and Jags fans, but all football fans. Lawrence is playing a bit better, though far from perfect. Rookie Travis Hunter has been solid, but not yet spectacular. He could ascend by Week 14.
Daniel Jones might be continuing his drive of a surprise run at the NFL MVP, and rookie Tyler Warren could have close to 1,000 yards receiving by the first time Jacksonville and Indianapolis meet. The games and the division could simply come down to which defense is playing better.