The 2024 NFL schedule hasn't been released yet, but it will be in the near future. In the meantime, we already know a whole lot about the Indianapolis Colts' slate, including opponents and locations of games. All that we're missing is the dates, really, and those will be known soon enough.
Given the information that we currently have, here are three key things to know about Indianapolis' schedule for the upcoming 2024 campaign.
Games against playoff teams
Out of their 17 regular season games in 2024, the Colts will play against six playoff teams from last season in seven games, since they play the Houston Texans twice. Those six playoff teams are the Texans (twice), Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills.
Indianapolis' other ten games will come against teams that didn't qualify for postseason play last season. But, that obviously doesn't mean that the Colts can overlook any of those teams, as all have aimed to improve over the offseason. Overall, Indianapolis' 2024 opponents had a combined record of 142-147 last season.
A tough home slate
Some of the Colts toughest games next season, at least on paper, will take place within the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. Out of those seven games against playoff teams from last season, five will be home games for the Colts. The games against the Steelers, Dolphins, Bills and Steelers will all take place in Indianapolis, as will one of the two games against the Texans. It won't be an easy set of games, but perhaps home field advantage will factor in the Colts' favor.
A game against the top pick in the draft
The Colts should get a first-hand look at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams, as Indianapolis is set to host the Bears during the season. Williams became the third top overall pick in Bears history, and the expectations in Chicago are sky-high for the young quarterback.
Prior to his selection, the Bears traded incumbent quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers, so the expectation is that Williams will take over as the starter from Day 1. The Colts had a rookie quarterback in Anthony Richardson last season, and now they'll get to face off against one of the more highly-hyped ones in recent memory.