The Indianapolis Colts failed to make the playoffs for the fourth time over the last five seasons in 2019, but the arrow is pointing up for the horseshoe following a major offseason littered with big moves.
Though we don’t know what the schedule will look like just yet—the NFL is releasing it on Thursday night—the Colts have a chance at some prime time games throughout the season. With a young defense and a new quarterback, the Colts should be better even if their schedule won’t boast more than a few prime-time worthy games.
They will get at least one Thursday night game as all teams do, but here are the five games with the best chances to be in prime time for Indy in 2020:
Colts vs. Titans
The two teams most likely fighting for the top spot in the division, the Colts and Titans should be an interesting matchup twice in the season. The Titans were a game away from the Super Bowl in 2019 thanks to their offensive efficiency and defensive production. The Colts finished the year just outside the race for the division with poor quarterback play.
It would be a surprise if one of these games wasn’t in primetime. The Colts and Titans split the series during the 2019 season and both teams seem to be primed for a playoff run. The Titans will be relying on Derrick Henry to carry the offense while boasting a talented defense at all three levels.
The Colts have their new quarterback in Philip Rivers while the addition of DeForest Buckner should bring about a major impact on defense. These games should be competitive regardless, so why not have one of them in prime time?
Colts vs. Ravens
If this game is early in the season, it is likely going to be during the day. The Ravens are one of the best teams in the NFL and if the Colts were to have a prime-time game at home against them, it would likely have to be later in the season after they have proven themselves to be a formidable unit as well.
This will be a fun matchup to watch. It might not end well for the Colts in terms of their record, but this is the first time they will face the MVP of the league in Lamar Jackson. The league hasn’t quite figured out how to stop the dual-threat quarterback, who has helped the Ravens become the NFL’s best rushing attack.
This game would be fun to watch in prime time, but it would have to be later in the season when both teams are on a roll.
Colts vs. Packers
The Packers are coming off of a 13-3 season and as Aaron Rodgers continues to get older, the league will be trying to get him in as many prime time games as possible. The Packers boast a strong defense with a strong rushing attack. Having Rodgers still playing well helps even more.
This game will be at Lucas Oil Stadium so there are good chances it will turn into a shootout. Two veterans in Rodgers and Philip Rivers going at it. Both have strong rushing attacks with the Packers being led by Aaron Jones and the Colts being led by Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor.
Depending on where this game falls on the schedule, there’s a good chance it gets into the prime time slate.
Colts at Browns
This one is less likely simply because both teams failed to make the playoffs. However, if it is later in the season and both teams are playing well fighting for a playoff spot, it could be a candidate to get flexed into prime time.
The Browns are an interesting unit. They had so much hype entering the 2019 season and truly fell flat on their face. Baker Mayfield regressed massively under Freddie Kitchens, who was fired after the season. The Browns replaced him with Kevin Stefanski, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Vikings.
The reason this could be a prime-time game is simply because of the talent that will be in this game. With players like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett on the Browns’ side, there is always a chance if both teams are playing well.
Colts at Steelers
These two teams played during the 2019 season and it was not a fun game, to say the least. However, the return of Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers and the addition of Philip Rivers to the Colts offense should benefit their respective teams. The Steelers are always in line for a few prime-time games given their success.
These are two teams battling for the top spot in their division but when getting down to the wire, it could also be two teams fighting for a wild-card spot in the AFC. If this is a later game in the season, the chances are higher that it would be a candidate for the prime-time slate.
