The Indianapolis Colts released their 2022 regular-season schedule last week.
The schedule reveals some interesting and juicy storylines for the Horseshoe this season.
Let’s delve deeper into three key takeaways from the Colts’ 2022 schedule.
3. Indy Has An Opportunity To Build Early-Season Momentum
The Colts started and ended last season with a resounding thud.
Indy lost four of its first five games before crashing and burning at season’s end to the Las Vegas Raiders and – of all teams – the 3-14 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Consequently, the Colts bowed out of postseason contention with a 9-8 win-loss record.
This time around, Indianapolis has the opportunity to start the 2022 NFL campaign on a high note – the Colts face the Houston Texans in Week 1 and the Jaguars in Week 2.
✨ THE 2022 SCHEDULE IS HERE ✨ pic.twitter.com/QlBOOKNI9q
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 13, 2022
If the Colts somehow lose both games, they will head into Weeks 3 and 4 against Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas City Chiefs and their AFC South division rivals, the Tennessee Titans, with the possibility of starting the 2022 campaign with an 0-4 win-loss mark.
That should not happen.
Indy should not lower its guard against the Texans and Jaguars in the first two weeks of the regular season lest it dig itself into a deep hole just four weeks into the season.
2. Exciting Revenge Games On Tap
Indy has revenge on its mind in the 2022 NFL season.
It’s payback time for the Colts, who want nothing less than a regular-season sweep of the Jaguars (who they will face in Weeks 2 and 6) – the team that ended their postseason hopes last year – in 2022.
For his part, new Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz wants nothing more than a win against his old team, the Colts, in Week 8.
On the other hand, the Colts want some payback against their old nemesis, the New England Patriots, in Week 9.
Indy has lost six straight at Gillette Stadium by almost 20 points per game since 2006.
The Colts have a good opportunity to end that dubious streak in Week 9 this year.
Indy will square off against Derek Carr‘s Raiders for the second straight season.
That heartbreaking 23-20 loss in Week 17 last season still stings – the Colts will get their chance at redemption in Las Vegas in Week 10.
On a side note, that’s a date new Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has marked on his calendar.
Former #Raiders DE Yannick Ngakoue stated that the #Raiders will pay when the #Colts come to Vegas.
— Las Vegas Raiders News & Updates (@lvraiderupdates) May 6, 2022
Ngakoue’s tenure in Las Vegas ended on a sour note after the Raiders traded him for defensive end Rock Ya-Sin two months ago.
There’s no question Ngakoue has revenge on his mind when his Colts take on the Raiders in Week 10.
1. The Colts Must End Their Late-Season Bye Jinx
The Colts will have their bye week in Week 14 for the second consecutive season.
It seemed Indy was going to finish last season strong after its bye week.
Regrettably, the opposite scenario unfolded.
The Colts will face the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Texans in the final month of the 2022 NFL season.
Those four squads averaged a combined six wins in 2021.
Among those four teams, only the Chargers pose as a real threat with quarterback Justin Herbert and the newly-acquired Khalil Mack in the fold.
Here’s hoping Frank Reich and co. learned from the painful end to their 2021 season and regain postseason contender status once again.
NEXT: Who Should The Colts Target At Backup QB?