Colts get the short end of the stick with new NFL rule
The 2023 NFL schedule was released on Thursday night, meaning that the Indianapolis Colts can now officially look ahead to next season. Indianapolis will open the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home. Looking through the schedule, there is some and some bad for the Colts. On one hand, Indianapolis has to play three divisional […]
The 2023 NFL schedule was released on Thursday night, meaning that the Indianapolis Colts can now officially look ahead to next season. Indianapolis will open the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home.
Looking through the schedule, there is some and some bad for the Colts. On one hand, Indianapolis has to play three divisional games in the first five weeks. On the other, the Colts do not face the strongest group of quarterbacks over the course of the year.
When examining the schedule even further, one common theme is found throughout. The Indianapolis Colts will play the majority of their games at the same time from week-to-week.
Indianapolis has 13 games set for 1:00 p.m. eastern time, including the first eight matchups of the season. Which could theoretically be viewed as a bit of a positive due to the fact it will allow the team to get into a bit of a routine.
However, the other side of the coin is that the Colts lack the primetime games and big stage that other teams were rewarded with when the schedule was released. Indianapolis plays the Carolina Panthers in the late afternoon slot in week eight.
Then, they travel to Germany to take on the New England Patriots in an international game that will be played at 9:30 a.m. eastern time. Outside of those two, it's all the same for Indianapolis. Granted, two game times are still to be announced.
It's safe to say that the Indianapolis Colts got the short end of the stick regarding the new rule that doesn't require every team to play in primetime. The Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and and Arizona Cardinals were also left without such a game.
Perhaps the dynamic rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson forces the NFL to flex the Colts into the primetime stage late in the season. Maybe even against fellow rookie CJ Stroud and the Texans. Especially if the AFC South crown develops into a fun race.
