The Indianapolis Colts have had multiple curses surrounding the team for quite some time. 

From their starting QB woes to stadiums the team can't buy a win in. Curses are made to be broken, and it's about time the Colts get to breaking some curses.

What are they? Can they be broken this year? 

Colts Curses that need to be Broken 

Week 1 Starting QB Curse

The Colts are set to have their seventh different starting QB in seven years when Anthony Richardson takes his first snap on September 10th. 

Colts' Week 1 starters: 

• 2017: Scott Tolzien
• 2018: Andrew Luck 
• 2019: Jacoby Brissett
• 2020: Philip Rivers
• 2021: Carson Wentz
• 2022: Matt Ryan
• 2023: Anthony Richardson is the named starter

While this curse can't be broken until 2024, by Richardson remains the team's week 1 starter. 

The Colts' decision to draft Richardson with the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and later naming him the team's starter as a rookie is progressing towards him being the long-term starter. 

Season Opener Losing Streak

The Colt's Week 1 tie against the Houston Texans last season was the team's best start to a season since 2013. 

It may sound crazy, but it is accurate. The Colts haven't won a season opener since 2013, when they defeated the at the time Oakland Raiders 21-17. 

Week 1 outcomes during the drought: 

• 2014 @ Denver Broncos:
  
  Lost 31-24
• 2015 @ Buffalo Bills
  
  Lost 27-14
• 2016 Vs. Detroit Lions
  
  Lost 39-35
• 2017 @ Los Angeles Rams
  
  Lost 46-9
• 2018 Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
  
  Lost 34-23
• 2019 @ Los Angeles Chargers
  
  Lost 30-23
• 2020 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
  
  Lost 27-20
• 2021 Vs. Seattle Seahawks
  
  Lost 28-16
• 2022 @ Houston Texans
• Tie 20-20

The Colts will have the chance to break this curse in front of their home fans, but it won't come easy. On September 10th, the team will take on the defending AFC South Champion Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Colts Struggles in Jacksonville

The last time the Colts won a game in Jacksonville was in 2014. And the Jaguars haven't just beat the Colts in that span; the majority of the games haven't been necessarily close. The Jaguars scored 232 total points in that span to the Colts 104.

Colts losses in Jacksonville 

• 2015: 51-16
• 2016 (In London but still a loss): 30-27 
• 2017: 30-10
• 2018: 6-0
• 2019: 38-20
• 2020: 27-20
• January 2022: 26-11
• September 2022: 24-0

The Colts will have the chance to break this curse in Week 6 when the team travels to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars for their 2nd matchup of the 2023 season. 

AFC South Championship Drought

The Colts used to be hands down the best team in the AFC South year in and year out. In fact, since the AFC South was created in 2002, the Colts hold the most AFC South championships with nine. Unfortunately, the most recent of those nine was in 2014. Every other team in the AFC South has at least won the division twice since the last time the Colts were able to win the AFC South.

AFC South Championships since 2015

• 2015: Houston Texans
• 2016: Houston Texans
• 2017: Jacksonville Jaguars
• 2018: Houston Texans
• 2019: Houston Texans
• 2020: Tennesee Titans
• 2021: Tennessee Titans
• 2022: Jacksonville Jaguars

Chris Ballard has yet to win the AFC South during his tenure as GM of the Indianapolis Colts since being hired in January of 2017. And the first step towards the Colts returning to their contender status that their fans grew accustomed to during Peyton Manning & Andrew Luck's time with the team, is by winning the AFC South. 

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