Predicting the Colts 2024 record

Week 1: Vs. Houston Texans (W)
I have the Colts winning their first season opener since 2013, and it would be a massive one against the Texans. The Colts are 0-9-1 over their last 10 season openers, with their one tie coming against the Texans in 2022. The Colts are 1-0 against CJ Stroud when Anthony Richardson starts, and I think they get their revenge from their Week 18 loss here.   

Week 2: @ Green Bay Packers (L)

Week 3: Vs. Chicago Bears (W)

Week 4: Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (W) 

Week 5: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (L)
I'd love to see the Colts put multiple curses behind them this year, but I just can't predict a win in Jacksonville. I hope I'm wrong because they really need to put this awful streak behind them. But until they prove they can win here, It's hard to predict anything but a loss. 

Week 6: @ Tennessee Titans (W)

Week 7: Vs. Miami Dolphins (L)
The Dolphins' unreal speed on the offensive side of the ball seems like an awful matchup for the Colts' young secondary. This game will be a shootout, and the Dolphins have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with just about any offense. The Colts offense is so young that I could see them falling short here.

Week 8: @ Houston Texans (L) 

Week 9: @ Minnesota Vikings (W) 

Week 10: Vs. Buffalo Bills (W) 
This one will be a solid measuring stick game for the Colts as they go up against one of the top teams in the AFC and arguably the best QB on their schedule next year, Josh Allen. The Bills' roster had a lot of overhauls this offseason, and while I think they are still the best team in their division, I think the Colts match up better with the Bills' roster than the Dolphins. 

Week 11: @ New York Jets Sunday Night Football (L)

Week 12: Vs. Detroit Lions (W)
This is probably my boldest prediction for the Colts schedule. The Lions are the only team on the Colts' schedule who played in the conference championship round last season. And while I think they have a really talented roster, I think this game being at home and so late into the season is a blessing for the Colts. Richardson and the Colts' offense should be in peak form by this point, and I think this could be a major statement win heading into their favorable final stretch with the playoffs on their mind. 

Week 13: @ New England Patriots (W) 

Week 14: Bye Week

Week 15: @ Denver Broncos (W) 

Week 16: Vs. Tennessee Titans (W) 
It's not easy to sweep any divisional opponent, and I think the AFC South is going to be as good across the board as we've seen them in quite some time. But I still view the Titans as the clear fourth-best team in this division, and by Week 16, I think the Colts will simply have more to play for. And with this one landing at home, I like the Colts' chances to complete the sweep. 

Week 17: @ New York Giants (W) 

Week 18: Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W) 

Overall Record: 12-5
I'm sure this prediction will be painted as too optimistic, and I get it: 12 wins is a lot. But I think the team's schedule is built in a way that will allow for a magnificent late-season push. And if the Colts can capitalize on it, as I see above, they could end on a six-game win streak and end the year with the AFC South crown and a strong placing in the AFC playoff race. 

Win/Loss range: 

High end: 13 wins
I think the absolute top of the Colts win range this season is 13, which would mean they lose only four games. If they stay healthy and play up to their potential, they can be one of the best teams in a stacked AFC, and if Richardson takes a big enough step forward, they could shock everyone. 

Low end: 8 wins
If the Colts have injury issues at QB and CB again this year, they can easily drop a lot of close games and end up with only eight wins. If this reality comes true, they will have a lot of things to address this offseason, and they will be forced to add talent at positions they chose to "roll with their young guys" this year.