7 Colts games we’re most excited about on 2022 schedule

The NFL has finally released a piece to the puzzle by releasing the schedule for the 2022 season!

We are still a few months away from the opening game but this is the last excitement of the calendar until training camp gets underway later in the summer.

The Indianapolis Colts have nine road games this year and will be at Lucas Oil Stadium eight times. They have four primetime games and two of those will be at home.

Here are seven matchups that we are excited for:

Opening Game: Week 1 at Houston Texans

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

This is a pretty easy choice, which NFL fan of any team isn’t excited for the first game of the year? But for Indianapolis fans, it hasn’t ended well since 2013.

The Colts will have a chance to end a couple of droughts in the first two weeks and that starts will their eight-game losing streak they have in the opening game of the season. They will have an opportunity to put an end to it on the road against a team that they dominated in 2021.

The Texans only managed to score three points against the Colts last year in their two losses of the series. We will see if Indianapolis can repeat that success on opening day.

Taking Care of Demons: Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars

Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

The Week 18 loss to the Jaguars in 2021 is what caused a major shift in the Colts organization. It led to them moving on from Carson Wentz after one year and acquiring Matt Ryan as his replacement.

The major disappointing loss in Jacksonville was just the cherry on the top of the struggles Indianapolis has in Duval County. They haven’t won there since 2014 and that also happens to be the last time the Colts won the AFC South.

While it looks like they should win the first two weeks on paper, history said it is going to be difficult to achieve. A 2-0 start will show this is a different team than in the past.

Home Opener: Week 3 vs Kansas City Chiefs

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After starting on the road in the first two weeks of the road, the Colts will make their first appearance at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Chiefs. This is a primetime-worthy matchup and could potentially be an early preview of a playoff matchup. It also is a big game for Indianapolis early in the season. Patrick Mahomes is one of the many talented quarterbacks in the AFC so it’s a litmus test of if they can battle with a playoff-caliber team. Matt Ryan can show he can lift the offense to go toe-to-toe with the Kansas City offense. This could be a game with a lot of explosive plays from both teams.

First Prime-time Game: Week 5 at Denver Broncos

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It won’t be an easy journey for the Colts this season since they are playing the AFC West. Just a couple of weeks after facing the Chiefs, they head on the road for a Thursday night matchup with the Broncos.

This will be of course a newly looked Denver team that has Russell Wilson leading the way. That elevates the primetime feel when one of the best quarterbacks is on the field.

The two teams haven’t faced since 2019 and the series is currently 14-14. Not only are bragging rights on the line but with how competitive the AFC will be, the outcome could affect playoff seeding.

Return of Carson Wentz: Week 8 vs Washington Commanders

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There will be a lot of eyes watching when Carson Wentz makes his return to Lucas Oil Stadium. I expect the fans will rain boos on him when he hits the field for the first time.

The Colts’ front office and coaching staff will want to make sure that he doesn’t get his revenge and make them regret they moved on from him. Matt Ryan gets to show he was the right quarterback to be leading the franchise.

This is also around the midpoint of the year so we will see where Indianapolis is in the standings and a win over their former quarterback can help propel them to the back half of the schedule.

First Home Prime-time Game: Week 12 vs Pittsburgh Steelers

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Primetime games in Lucas Oil Stadium have been rare over the years. 11 of the last 14 primetime games have been on the road. This season they do get two at home and it starts with a Monday night matchup against the Steelers.

This game will be called by the new MNF crew of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. The question is, who will be the quarterback of Pittsburgh? Is Mitch Trubisky reviving his career or is the rookie Kenny Pickett putting together a strong year one?

A looming demon for the Colts is that they have lost to the Steelers seven straight times. Their last win against Pittsburgh came in 2008. Another losing streak that Indianapolis will look to end in 2022.

Last Home Primetime Game: Week 16 vs Los Angeles Chargers

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Just a day after Christmas, the Colts will be hosting the Chargers for their last remaining primetime game of the season. That of course, assuming their last two games against the New York Giants and Houston Texans don’t get flexed.

Justin Herbert is just one of the many talented quarterbacks that the Indianapolis defense will have this season but they will be battle-tested by this point.

As long as the Colts take care of business in the AFC South then this is another matchup with an AFC West opponent that can affect the playoff picture. It should be a huge game in front of a national audience for the organization.

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