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.
Bright lights in the big city. 🌟
📺 2024 Schedule Release on NFLN pic.twitter.com/SMzpjQKuXM
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 16, 2024
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.
Without further delay. #ForTheShoe
📺 2024 Schedule Release on NFLN pic.twitter.com/WapibyiXux
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 16, 2024
