INDIANAPOLIS —The Frank Reich era in Indianapolis will get started on the road — at least in preseason play.
The Indianapolis Colts today announced their four-game preseason schedule for 2018, which is as follows:
• Week 1 (date/time TBD): at Seattle Seahawks
• Week 2; Monday, Aug. 20; vs. Baltimore Ravens
• Week 3; Saturday, Aug. 25; vs. San Francisco 49ers
• Week 4; Thursday, Aug. 30; at Cincinnati Bengals
Colts @ Seahawks:
The Seahawks finished last season 9-7, good enough for second place in the NFC West Division, though they did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2011. They did defeat the Colts, 46-18, in Week 4 play at CenturyLink Field, however. In that game, Indianapolis actually led at halftime, 15-10, before seeing Seattle go on a 36-3 run the rest of the way.
The Seahawks this offseason have added tight end Ed Dickson, former Colts outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo, wide receiver Jaron Brown, safety Maurice Alexander, offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, defensive tackle Tom Johnson, defensive lineman Shamar Stephen and cornerback Dontae Johnson in free agency; they have also brought back cornerback Akeem King, running back Mike Davis, defensive end Marcus Smith and cornerback Justin Coleman.
The team has lost cornerback Richard Sherman, defensive back DeShawn Shead, wide receiver Paul Richardson, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, tight end Jimmy Graham, offensive lineman Matt Tobin, tight end Luke Willson and running back Thomas Rawls in free agency, meanwhile.
Seattle has eight picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, starting off with the No. 18 selection in the first round.
Colts vs. Ravens:
The Ravens also had a 9-7 record last season and finished in second place in the AFC North Division. They looked poised to earn their first playoff berth in three seasons when they led the Cincinnati Bengals late in their Week 17 matchup, but saw Cincinnati score a 49-yard, game-winning touchdown in the final seconds to fall, 31-27.
The Colts also took on the Ravens last season, falling in Baltimore, 23-16, in Week 16. Indianapolis got inside the red zone on its final possession as it looked for a game-tying touchdown and extra point to force overtime, but would turn the ball over on downs.
The Ravens this offseason have added two free agent wide receivers, Michael Crabtree and John Brown, and have brought back offensive lineman James Hurst, defensive end Brent Urban and cornerback Brandon Carr.
The team has lost defensive back Lardarius Webb, tackle Austin Howard, running back Danny Woodhead, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, center Ryan Jensen and wide receiver Mike Wallace.
Baltimore has seven picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, starting off with the No. 16 selection in the first round.
Colts vs. 49ers:
The 49ers had a 6-10 record in the 2017 campaign, finishing in last in the NFC West. But the silver lining: the team started out 0-9, but won six of its final seven games with a new quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, under center.
The Colts defeated the 49ers, 26-23, in an overtime thriller Week 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium last season, as Adam Vinatieri would connect on a 51-yard, game-winning field goal to send the Colts fans home a happy bunch after seeing legendary quarterback Peyton Manning join Ring of Honor, as well as have his No. 18 retired, in a halftime ceremony that afternoon.
The 49ers this offseason have added cornerback Richard Sherman, punter Jeff Locke, center Weston Richburg, running back Jerick McKinnon, edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, guard Jonathan Cooper and linebacker Korey Toomer in free agency; they have also brought back linebacker Brock Coyle, running back Raheem Mostert and outside linebacker Dekoda Watson.
San Francisco has nine picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, starting off with the No. 9-overall selection in the first round.
Colts at Bengals:
The Bengals had a 7-9 record in 2017, finishing in third place in the AFC North. They did, however, defeat the Colts, 24-23, in Week 8 last season, as Indy could not hold on to a 23-17 fourth quarter lead after seeing Cincinnati's Carlos Dunlap intercept quarterback Jacoby Brissett and return it 16 yards for the eventual game-winning touchdown.
The Bengals this offseason acquired tackle Cordy Glenn in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, and also added linebacker Preston Brown, tackle Bobby Heart, defensive lineman Chris Baker and quarterback Matt Barkley in free agency. The team also brought back tight end Tyler Eifert and punter Kevin Huber.
The team has lost quarterback A.J. McCarron, running back Jeremy Hill, center Russell Bodine, tackle Andre Smith, defensive end Chris Smith and linebacker Kevin Minter, and declined an option on cornerback Adam Jones.
The Bengals have seven picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, starting off with the 21st-overall selection in the first round.
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