INDIANAPOLIS—The 2014 NFL schedule with dates and times won't be announced for several more months but we do know the Colts opponents for next season.
The Colts went 6-2 at home in 2013 and are 13-3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in the last two seasons.
Here's an early breakdown of each home opponent and what the offseason could hold for those teams:
Home
Baltimore Ravens (8-8):The Ravens seemed to be the odds on favorite for the final AFC Playoff spot in 2013 but stumbles in Weeks 16 and 17 saw the defending Super Bowl Champions on the outside looking in during January. Baltimore will have a new offensive coordinator as Jim Caldwell left to become head coach of the Detroit Lions. Since playing in the AFC Divisional Round back in 2006, the Colts and Ravens have met seven times with Baltimore capturing the last two contests.
Cincinnati Bengals (11-5):The Bengals captured the AFC North in 2012 but lost their first playoff game for the third straight season. Next year's matchup will take place in Lucas Oil Stadium after the Bengals beat the Colts at home last December. The Bengals did lose defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to the Minnesota Vikings and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden to the Washington Redskins.
Houston Texans (2-14):It's now the Bill O'Brien era in Houston as he takes over a talented squad that struggled mightily in 2013. O'Brien and the Texans hold the No. 1 pick. Will the Colts be facing a new rookie quarterback for Houston next year? The Colts are 12-0 all-time at home against the Texans.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12):The Jaguars turned things around in the second half of the season under first-year head coach Gus Bradley. After losing their last two homes contests against the Jaguars, the Colts beat Jacksonville 30-10 in last year's regular season finale. Jacksonville holds the No. 3 overall pick in May's Draft. Is a quarterback in line with that pick?
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Home |
Away |
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Baltimore Ravens (8-8) |
Cleveland Browns (8-8) |
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Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) |
Dallas Cowboys (8-8) |
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Houston Texans (2-14) |
Denver Broncos (13-3) |
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Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) |
Houston Texans (2-14) |
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New England Patriots (12-4) |
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) |
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Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) |
New York Giants (7-9) |
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Tennessee Titans (7-9) |
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) |
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Washington Redskins (3-13) |
Tennessee Titans (7-9) |
New England Patriots (12-4):Could this be a primetime matchup in 2014? The Colts and Patriots have met every season since 2003 but next year's meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium is the first one in Indianapolis since the 2009 regular season. Next year's contest will be a rematch of the Patriots 43-22 Divisional Round victory on Jan. 11.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6):This could be one of the more underrated matchups of the 2014 season. Chip Kelly brings his high-octane offense into Lucas Oil Stadium to face a quarterback he opposed quite a bit in college. The Eagles will be heading to Indianapolis for the first time since the 2006 season.
Tennessee Titans (7-9):Former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt has taken over as the Titans head man. Last year, Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers. The Colts have not lost a home contest against the Titans since the 2007 season.
Washington Redskins (3-13):Another primetime candidate as the No. 1 and 2 overall picks in the 2012 draft could be facing each other. Robert Griffin III will be under the tutelage of new Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. The Colts are familiar with Gruden as he was the former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Check back with Colts.com tomorrow as we look at the away games on the 2014 slate.
