The Indianapolis Colts are hopefully enjoying a bit of time off. The team deserves it. Few expected Indy to be 8-2 at the bye week, and even fewer expected quarterback Daniel Jones to turn from first-round failure to Pro Bowler. He has.
But while Jones has been terrific, the offense is truly driven by the brilliance of running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has been so good that instead of him feeding off the passing game, Jones and his receivers are feeding off Taylor.
Indianapolis could be even better if the defense could ever get fully healthy. The team has been missing cornerbacks and now excellent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner all season. Let's hope the glue sticks together and the unsung players continue to step up.
Predicting how the Indianapolis Colts' schedule will play out after the 2025 bye week
Of course, the offense needs to stay healthy, too, and any key injuries on that side, especially to Daniel Jones or Jonathan Taylor, will affect the rest of the season. Assuming they do stay available for games, the season should finish with high-end success.
Colts vs. Chiefs - Week 12
- Date: Sunday, November 23
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Defeating the Chiefs at Arrowhead is always a tough task. The hope is that the weather is good, of course. At least then, the Colts' fantastic offense should have a good footing in which to attack a good KC defense.
But let's be honest: This game will likely come down to how well Lou Anarumo's Indy defense can slow down a suddenly red-hot Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense. Outscoring KC might be an option simply because of how well Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor are playing, but that doesn't need to be the only option.
- Prediction: Colts loss (8-3)
Kansas City is simply a different team at home. Jones will have multiple turnovers again, and the Chiefs steal a victory even though Indy's defense overperforms. These two could easily meet again in the playoffs.
Colts vs. Texans - Week 13
- Date: Sunday, November 30
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
- Channel: CBS
The biggest question about this game might be which Texans team will show up. The one that struggled at the beginning of the season, or the one who is playing a bit more like the team that has won the AFC South the past couple of seasons. Houston is very capable of limiting Indy's offense and finding enough points to win.
In fact, the Colts' defense might need to be at its best in this game because Houston's defense is one of the best in the NFL. They have no real weaknesses. Maybe a long run by Taylor is the difference in the game, but this could be the first time Indianapolis scores under 20 points this season and still gets a victory.
- Prediction: Colts win (9-3)
Indianapolis has an advantage here with the fast track of Lucas Oil. Alec Pierce will have a huge game, and the loss by Houston puts their fleeting hopes of getting back to first in the division out of reach.
Colts vs. Jaguars - Week 14
- Date: Sunday, December 7
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Everbank Stadium
- Channel: CBS
How frustrating must it be to be a Jaguars fan? Every offseason, the team appears to make moves in hopes of getting better, but they trend toward mediocrity each year. Jacksonville has talent, though it lost rookie Travis Hunter for the season, and can be dangerous if they get out of their own way.
While the Colts have had massive issues trying to win in Jacksonville over the last decade (Indy hasn't won at the home of the Jags since 2014), this is simply a different breed of Indianapolis team. If anything, the team might be more motivated to beat the inconsistent Jags at Everbank Stadium to prove just how different the 2025 version is.
- Prediction: Colts win (10-3)
Daniel Jones will have his best game of the season, with no turnovers and four touchdown passes, and lead Indianapolis to an easy victory. The victory will get the Colts to double-digit wins for the first time since 2020.
Colts vs. Seahawks - Week 15
- Date: Sunday, December 14
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lumen Field
- Channel: CBS
Seattle, oddly, has been a better road team since head coach Mike Macdonald took over at the beginning of the 2024 season, so maybe this gives Indianapolis some real hope to get a big win. This game might also come down to how healthy each team is.
The Seahawks have the defensive scheme and talent to limit the Colts' offense, and Seattle's offense has the talent at wide receiver and tight end to expose Anarumo's poor zone coverage scheme. Still, while Sam Darnold has been good so far in 2025, he hasn't been great in the second half of games.
Plus, this will be a battle of two quarterbacks who finished 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings. Perhaps there is a bit more motivation for Darnold and Jones to prove which is the better redemption story.
- Prediction: Colts lose (10-4)
There is no shame in this loss. Both teams are good, but winning on the road is difficult, no matter Mike Macdonald's home record in two seasons.
Colts vs. 49ers - Week 16
- Date: Monday, December 22
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
- Channel: ESPN
Finally, Indianapolis gets a primetime game. This is their first, and likely only (Week 18 could be flexed), primetime game of the season. Next year should be different as the NFL will realize what a fun watch Indy is, but no one expected the Colts to be as good as they are this season.
This game might come down to which team scores more points. San Francisco has been decimated by injuries defensively, but offensively, Kyle Shanahan's system is always a problem. This is an especially bad matchup for Lou Anarumo's defense.
- Prediction: Colts win (11-4)
That said, Shane Steichen will know how to expose a weaker 49ers defense, and Jones should have a big game. Through Week 10, San Fran had the worst pressure percentage in the league, and that is unlikely to change much. Steichen will take advantage.
Colts vs. Jaguars - Week 17
- Date: Sunday, December 28
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
- Channel: FOX
Indianapolis might have the AFC South wrapped up by this point, but there is bigger game to hunt. Getting the top seed in the AFC would be extremely important. The teams Indy will probably face in the playoffs are used to making the postseason, except the New England Patriots, and that experience will be important.
Traveling to New England or to Denver to play the broncos in January is not ideal. The best case is to try to finish with four losses and hope that record is good enough.
- Prediction: Colts win (12-4)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are not a bad team, but they aren't as good as the 2025 Indianapolis Colts. Indy needs to make sure that much is true in Week 17.
Colts vs. Texans - Week 18
- Date: To be determined
- Time: TBD
- Venue: NRG Stadium
- Channel: TBD
This game might be flexed to primetime as the NFL will want to see key playoff scenarios play out in real time. The hope is that the game is rather meaningless for Indy, though. That isn't likely, however, as finishing with five losses would not be ideal.
Houston could also be vying for a playoff spot, too. The Texans have three relatively easy games left on their schedule (the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals), and if they can steal a couple more, they have a chance.
- Prediction: Colts win (13-4)
There is probably too much on the line in this game for Indianapolis not to be motivated to win. Houston might not have anything to play for other than hurting Indy's playoff seeding. The better team wins.