The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the preseason with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
With training camp and the preseason officially in the rearview mirror, the regular season has never felt closer.
So, I decided it was time to share my final record prediction for the 2024 Colts.
Predicting the Colts' 2024 record
Below, I share my prediction for each game on the Colts' upcoming schedule, beginning with their highly anticipated Week 1 matchup with AFC South rival the Houston Texans and ending with their regular season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Week 1: Vs. Houston Texans (W)
Week 2: @ Green Bay Packers (L)
I have the Colts picking up a win during their season opener that many would say is an upset. So coming off that type of high just to lose the very next week might sound very deflating. But the Colts roster is still incredibly young, and Lambeau Field is one of the hardest places to play in the NFL. Pair that with Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers ending last season on quite the tear, and I think this one has loss written all over it.
Week 3: Vs. Chicago Bears (W)
Week 4: Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (W)
To say the Colts have struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers over the years would be an understatement. Before beating them last season, the Colts had lost eight straight matchups against Pittsburgh. So any win against the Steelers is going to feel good for Colts fans. I picked the Colts here because the Steelers' offense still has a lot of question marks surrounding it, including their offensive line, their weapons, and, on top of it all, the quarterback position.
Week 5: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (L)
Week 6: @ Tennessee Titans (W)
Week 7: Vs. Miami Dolphins (L)
Week 8: @ Houston Texans (L)
After picking up the Week 1 win, I have the Colts losing to the Texans here to split the season series once again. Both teams in this matchup view the other as their top competition for the AFC South crown. And as we've seen over the offseason, there's no love lost with either of these franchises. I think the most likely outcome here is both pulling out a hard-fought win as long as both teams stay relatively healthy. But for what it's worth, the Colts are 1-0 against the Texans in games both Stroud and Richardson play in.
Week 9: @ Minnesota Vikings (W)
Week 10: Vs. Buffalo Bills (W)
This game is going to be a big one for the Colts. Any time you can measure up against one of the best teams in your conference, it can be telling come playoff time. I had the Colts lose to the Miami Dolphins Week 7, but pick up the win here against the Buffalo Bills. I think both teams are AFC contenders, but on paper, I think the Colts matchup significantly better against the Bills. The Colts' weakness in defense is their secondary, and I think the Bills will have a harder time exploiting it than the Dolphins.
Week 11: @ New York Jets Sunday Night Football (L)
Week 12: Vs. Detroit Lions (L)
Week 13: @ New England Patriots (W)
Week 14: Bye Week
Week 15: @ Denver Broncos (W)
Week 16: Vs. Tennessee Titans (W)
Sweeping a divisional opponent is easier said than done, but I think the timing of this second game against the Tennessee Titans could be key for the Colts. I believe the Titans to be the worst team in the AFC South, and by this point in the season, I'm projecting they will already be focusing on the offseason and the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, I believe the Colts will be in the thick of a race for the playoffs in a tight AFC.
Week 17: @ New York Giants (W)
Week 18: Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W)
I had the Colts dropping their first matchup with the Jaguars, which was in Jacksonville, because duh. But this matchup, I think, could go either way. I think both teams could very well be fighting for a playoff spot, and who knows, the outcome of this game could decide the winner of the AFC South. The Colts had that chance last season and fell short, but as long as they stay healthy, I think they are going to be more prepared and ready to punch their ticket to the playoffs this time around.
Overall Record: 11-6
