The 2024 NFL schedule will be released Wednesday night at 8:00 PM ET, but while we may not know the order in which the games will be played, we do already know who the Indianapolis Colts’ opponents will be.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the Colts have one of the easier strengths of schedule on paper based on their opponents’ 2023 win percentages, which totals .491. The combined 2023 record of the Colts’ 2024 opponents is 142-147, with nine games incoming against teams who had a winning record and seven games against teams who made the playoffs.
Other factors that we won’t know about until the schedule is officially released that can impact the difficulty of the season include any extended road trips, when the bye week is, how many air miles have to be traveled, and any difficult stretches of games, among other elements.
So, compared to the rest of the NFL, where does the Colts’ strength of schedule rank? Here is a look, ranked from the most difficult to the easiest:
1. Cleveland Browns (.547)
Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 158-131
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 12
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
2. Baltimore Ravens (.536)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 155-134
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 12
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 10
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (.533)
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 154-135
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
4. Green Bay Packers (.526)
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 152-137
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
4. Houston Texans (.526)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 152-137
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
6. Buffalo Bills (.516)
Oct 6, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 149-140
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
6. New York Giants (.516)
Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 149-140
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 12
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (.512)
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 148-141
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
8. Las Vegas Raiders (.512)
Nov 6, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs off the field after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 148-141
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
8. New England Patriots (.512)
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New England Patriots as the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 148-141
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
11. Detroit Lions (.509)
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 147-142
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
12. Dallas Cowboys (.505)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 146-143
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 9
12. Los Angeles Rams (.505)
Sep 12, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks for an open receiver in the end zone in the first half of the game against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 146-143
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
12. New York Jets (.505)
Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 146-143
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
12. San Francisco 49ers (.505)
January 1, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws as offensive tackle Daniel Brunskill (60) provides coverage against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 146-143
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 9
16. Cincinnati Bengals (.502)
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 145-144
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 9
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 9
16. Kansas City Chiefs (.502)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 145-144
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 9
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
16. Minnesota Vikings (.502)
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 145-144
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
16. Washington Commanders (.502)
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels poses after being selected by the Washington Commanders as the No. 2 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 145-144
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
20. Denver Broncos (.495)
Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) reacts in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 143-146
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 6
21. Indianapolis Colts (.491)
Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 142-147
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 9
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
21. Philadelphia Eagles (.491)
Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) talks with offensive coordinator Shane Steichen against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 142-147
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
21. Tennessee Titans (.491)
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 142-147
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 11
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 6
24. Arizona Cardinals (.488)
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 141-148
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
24. Miami Dolphins (.488)
Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs the ball ahead of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the first half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 141-148
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
24. Seattle Seahawks (.488)
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 141-148
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 8
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
27. Los Angeles Chargers (.478)
Jan 2, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to throw a pass in the first half the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 138-151
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 8
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 6
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (.478)
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 138-151
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 8
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 6
29. Carolina Panthers (.467)
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 135-154
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 8
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 5
29. Chicago Bears (.467)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) signals for a first down after making a reception against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 17-9, to clinch an NFC playoff berth.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 135-154
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 10
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 7
31. Atlanta Falcons (.453)
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 131-158
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 9
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 6
31. New Orleans Saints (.453)
Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Win-loss from 2023 teams: 131-158
Games vs. teams with .500+ win percentage in 2023: 8
Games vs. 2023 playoff teams: 8
