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INDIANAPOLIS – One of the more anticipated seasons in recent Colts history now has an official schedule.
On Wednesday night, the NFL released the 2019 regular season schedule, with the Colts slated for 3 games in primetime.
Without further ado, here is the 2019 schedule of the Colts:
Week 1: at Chargers (Sunday, September 8, 4:05 PM, CBS)
The Colts are going to be playing in the intimate venue that is the Dignity Health Sports Park to open up the 2019 season. Frank Reich has a big goal to get off to a better start this fall, and this will be a tough challenge to earn their first season-opening win since 2013. The Chargers have announced their powder blue uniforms will be their primary home uniform in 2019.
Week 2: at Titans (Sunday, September 15, 1:00 PM, CBS)
It’s the first time since 2004 that the Colts have opened up with two straight road games. Last season’s meeting in Nashville didn’t have Marcus Mariota on the field and Indy won the ‘win and get in’ Week 17 game. The Colts have beaten the Titans in 18 of their past 21 meetings.
Week 3: Falcons (Sunday, September 22, 1:00 PM, CBS)
The home opener for the Colts will come in Week 3. It was a very underwhelming 2018 season for the Falcons. They will come to Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time since 2011. Last year, the Colts did not win a game at home until Week 7.
Week 4: Raiders (Sunday, September 29, 1:00 PM, CBS)
The Antonio Brown show will descend upon Indianapolis in 2019. This marks the third time in the last four years that the Colts will face the Raiders, but the first time in Indy.
Week 5: at Chiefs (Sunday, October 6, 8:20 PM, NBC)
What a road slate this is for the 2019 Colts. This game was a no brainer primetime choice with Patrick Mahomes and Arrowhead Stadium welcoming Andrew Luck and Frank Reich back this fall. This is the first of three primetime games for the Colts in 2019.
Week 6: Bye
It’s the earliest bye week for the Colts since the 2012 season. The vast majority of NFL teams are not fans of having their bye fall in mid-October, although this one does come between two big games on the 2019 slate.
Week 7: Texans (Sunday, October 20, 1:00 PM, CBS)
This 2018 home matchup had quite a few fireworks back in late September, as the Texans went from an 0-3 start to winning the division, after their victory in Indy. This is, surprisingly, the only home game against a 2018 playoff team for the Colts next season. A bye week for Indy leading into a critical home matchup will be nice though.
Week 8: Broncos (Sunday, October 27, 4:25 PM, CBS)
Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and the Broncos will come to Lucas Oil Stadium in late October. Currently, Denver still has questions at the long-term future under center. Vic Fangio is the new head man of the Broncos.
Week 9: at Steelers (Sunday, November 3, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Well, the Steelers will look a bit different from past meetings with the Colts. These contests have not gone well for the Colts, with the Steelers outscoring Indianapolis 144-68 in their last 4 meetings.
Week 10: Dolphins (Sunday, November 10, 4:05 PM, CBS)
With the Dolphins finishing 2nd in the AFC East last year, they take on their fellow 2nd place finisher in the AFC South. The Dolphins are now led by new head coach Brian Flores. Will it be Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, in yet another uniform, against the Colts this fall?
Week 11: Jaguars (Sunday, November 17, 1:00 PM, CBS)
This starts a stretch of three straight games against the AFC South. Expectations proved to be way, way too high for the Jaguars in 2018. They once again face questions, with Nick Foles trying to quiet those at the quarterback position.
Week 12: at Texans (Thursday, November 21, 8:20 PM, FOX)
Playing your biggest division rival on the road, on a short week, is less than ideal. The Colts earned two huge wins in Houston late last season though. This matchup looks to be very competitive for the foreseeable future. Seeing these teams play in primetime down in Houston has become a frequent occurrence in the Andrew Luck era.
Week 13: Titans (Sunday, December 1, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Even though the Titans finished this past season above .500, they were blown out at Lucas Oil Stadium in a November contest and lost the critical season finale to the Colts.
Week 14: at Buccaneers (Sunday, December 8, 1:00 PM, CBS)
After Week 9, the Colts will not have another road game outside of the state of Florida/or not played in a dome. Jameis Winston and Bruce Arians are now teaming up in 2019 as the Colts will hit the state of Florida two times in December (and possibly again in February for the Super Bowl in Miami).
Week 15: at Saints (Monday, December 16, 8:15 PM, ESPN)
It’s been 8 seasons since the Colts were embarrassed in a primetime game at the Superdome. This 2019 meeting should have plenty of hype around Andrew Luck vs. Drew Brees. The 2019 season marks the 10-year anniversary of these two teams meeting in Super Bowl XLIV.
Week 16: Panthers (Sunday, December 22, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Cam Newton’s rookie season was the last time the Panthers played in Indianapolis. Even though Newton is battling some shoulder/labrum issues, it sounds like the expectation is he will play in 2019. This is the home finale for the Colts and comes on the heels of three straight NFC South games in December.
Week 17: at Jaguars (Sunday, December 29, 1:00 PM, CBS)
In typical fashion, the Colts will end their season with a divisional matchup. This road game was one to forget for the Colts last season. It was also their only regular season loss in the final 11 weeks of the season. The Colts have lost 3 straight games in Jacksonville.
