The Indianapolis Colts released their regular-season schedule for the 2023 campaign on Thursday night.
Welcoming in a new regime and a franchise quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick, the Colts have a big season ahead of them. While expectations should be managed, this will be an exciting season for the Colts considering the amount young players vying to make an impact.
Here are nine takeaways from the 2023 schedule for the Colts:
1
First international game since 2016
For the first time since the 2016 season, the Colts will be going overseas. They are set to play against the New England Patriots in Week 10 at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany.
2
Nine home games
The Colts will have nine home games on the schedule with four games on the road. The international game is technically a neutral site contest, but given the fact that they have to travel to Germany, it might as well be considered an away game.
3
Strength of schedule
Though calculating a team’s strength of schedule is a flawed process considering the changing and unknown variables. However, they have the fourth-easiest strength of schedule when using both their opponents’ previous season’s record and projected win totals.
4
Bye week
After having a Week 14 bye in each of the last two seasons, the Colts will have their bye in 2023 during Week 11.
5
Breaking a curse
The Colts still have not won an opening-week game since the 2013 season. They’ll have a chance to do so against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home—a team they’ve struggled against early in the season in recent campaigns.
6
The Frank Reich game
The former head coach in Reich will take on the Colts at Bank of America Stadium in Week 9 in what is very likely to be a matchup of rookie quarterbacks between Anthony Richardson and Bryce Young.
7
Prime-time games
The Colts don’t have a single prime-time game on the schedule for 2023.
8
Another Raiders game
For the sixth consecutive season, the Colts will face off against the Raiders. It will be the third home game against Las Vegas during that span and will take place in Week 17.
9
Two games TBD
There are two games currently on the schedule listed as TBD. In Week 15, the Colts’ home matchup against the Steelers does not have a date or time listed. Also, the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans is listed without a date or time, which is customary considering the potential flex scheduling.
