2024 NFL schedule unveiled as Colts path to playoffs begins with a grudge match - Sport News

2024 NFL schedule unveiled as Colts path to playoffs begins with a grudge match

As the NFL unveiled its 2024 schedule Wednesday on NFL Network, the path to the playoffs is officially set and chock full of unfinished business with unlimited season-opener grudge matches.

The Indianapolis Colts begin the 2024 regular season preparing for the same divisional rival who eliminated them from postseason contention in last season’s finale. The AFC South foes will meet back in Indianapolis as the Colts host the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. Two of the first four overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft will duel for the second time in their careers. It’s been 11 years since the Colts emerged victorious in the season opener and second-year head coach Shane Steichen will certainly be fired up to spin the block and avenge his last loss.

As the AFC South is set to challenge the AFC East and NFC North in 2024, the Colts travel to Lambeau Field for the first time since 2016 to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. Indianapolis welcomes Chicago’s first overall draft pick Caleb Williams, whose first three career games will be against AFC South opponents, to induce a new chapter to the Colts-Bears rivalry in Week 3.

The Colts are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers for the third consecutive season in Week 4. On the road in Week 5, the Colts have intentions to end a decade-long curse, which includes nine consecutive losses to the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Indianapolis follows up in Week 6 back at home to host the rebuilding Tennessee Titans, who were swept by the Colts and finished last in the AFC South in 2023. In Week 7, the 2023 NFL passing yards leader Tua Tagovailoa and five-time First-Team All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill will lead one of the most explosive offensive units as the Miami Dolphins visit Indianapolis for the first time in five seasons.

Indianapolis faces consecutive road games in Weeks 8-9, including a rematch with the Texans, then against the Minnesota Vikings. The back nine weeks of the schedule switches to the AFC East as the Colts return home to play the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. The Colts have only one primetime game scheduled in 2024, a Week 11 Sunday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets at Metlife Stadium on Nov. 17. The Jets, 49ers and Cowboys received the most primetime games with six each. If both gunslingers remain healthy, Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson will duel four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers in his first primetime NFL game.

The Colts follow up the stand-alone contest by hosting the 2023 NFC finalist Detroit Lions in Week 12, then head to Foxborough to meet the New England Patriots in Week 13. Indianapolis is one of six teams without a BYE until Week 14, which is the final BYE week for any NFL team. The easiest portion of the Colts schedule comes after the BYE week as the stampede heads west to battle the Denver Broncos in Week 15. The Colts play the Titans at home in Week 16, then visit Metlife for the second time in the final road game of the regular season against the Giants in Week 17. Indianapolis closes the regular season with a divisional home game against the Jaguars.

Richardson will make his return to the gridiron after season-ending shoulder surgery ended his rookie campaign. Four of the five non-divisional opponents the Colts will host in 2024 made the playoffs last season. The Colts aim to snap a three-year playoff drought and claim the first AFC South title since 2014.

 

Related Posts

The Changing Dynamics of the Toronto Maple Leafs Forwards

The Toronto Maple Leafs have evolved significantly since winning the Draft Lottery in 2016 and selecting Auston Matthews as the first overall pick. Starting the 2016-17 season, the team built its…

2024 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 53

Paul Goldschmidt has been destroying the hopes and dreams of opposing teams since 2012 when he played his first full season in the big leagues. He has…

Colts eager to see new offense come together – ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — On a first-and-10 from the Colts’ own 25-yard line, quarterback Anthony Richardson took a shotgun snap and quickly tossed the ball to running back Jonathan Taylor on a…

2 moves Sabres must make in 2024 NHL offseason

The Buffalo Sabres had high expectations heading into the 2023-24 NHL season. Buffalo missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs by just one point in 2023. They had a wealth of…

NFL analyst suggests final offseason move Indianapolis Colts should make

As the Indianapolis Colts continue into the heart of the offseason workout program, there are still chances to add more talent to the roster. Sitting with a comfortable amount of…

This Day In Sabres History – Flyers Win Cup In Buffalo

On this day 49 years ago, the Philadelphia Flyers won their second straight Stanley Cup, eliminating the Buffalo Sabres in six games with a 2-0 shutout victory at Memorial…