Jamie Rhodes-USA Today Sports
Coming off a surprising 2012 campaign, the Indianapolis Colts will be looking to pick up right where they left off in 2013. Expectations will be different this year, and a fast start will be crucial to keeping pace with the top teams in the AFC. Winning the division has to be a priority for Indy, because hosting a playoff game would make all the difference in the world.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the Colt’s 2013 regular season schedule:
Week 1 – Oakland Raiders
Week 2 – Miami Dolphins
Week 3 – @ San Francisco 49ers
Week 4 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 5 – Seattle Seahawks
Week 6 – @ San Diego Chargers (MNF)
Week 7 – Denver Broncos (SNF)
Week 8 – BYE
Week 9 – @ Houston Texans
Week 10 – St. Louis Rams
Week 11 – @ Tennessee Titans (TNF)
Week 12 – @ Arizona Cardinals
Week 13 – Tennessee Titans
Week 14 – @Cincinnati Bengals
Week 15 – Houston Texans
Week 16 – @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 17 – Jacksonville Jaguars
As you can see, in weeks five through seven, business picks up. The Colts have tough matchups with the Seahawks, at San Diego, and a date with Peyton Manning on SNF. (That one might get a little hype…)
So with that tough stretch before the bye week, it makes the Colts’ first quarter of the schedule, even that much more important. Right out of the gate, they have two winnable games at home, with Oakland and Miami coming to town. The Colts should be favored in each one, but the following week, things start to get real.
When the Colts travel west to take on the 49ers in week three, it should be one of those measuring stick games. That’s a top-notch opponent on the road, and if Indy can escape with a win, they will emerge as a favorite in the AFC.
The first quarter of the season ends with a trip to Jacksonville, so again, Indy should be favored to take care of business. So all in all, the Colts have three very winnable games in the first quarter of 2013. If they can come out with a 3-1 record, they’ll be in great position to challenge the Texans for the AFC South crown.
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