If you’re waking up on this Friday, January 16, 2026, wondering what time do colts play today, there’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation depending on which team you follow. Honestly, it's one of those days where the sports calendar is a little lopsided. For those looking for the Indianapolis Colts, the news isn't what you’d hope for. But if you’re a fan of the Barrie Colts up in the OHL, you’re coming off a massive night.
Let's break down the reality of the schedule so you don't spend the afternoon searching for a kickoff that isn't coming.
What Time Do Colts Play Today: The NFL Reality
The Indianapolis Colts are not playing today. In fact, their season is officially in the rearview mirror. After a heartbreaking late-season collapse where they lost their final seven games—including that 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans on January 4—the Indy squad finished 8-9 and missed the 2025-2026 playoffs entirely.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that started the year 8-2. While the NFL Divisional Round is set to kick off tomorrow, January 17, with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Denver Broncos, the Colts are already looking toward the 2026 draft and the upcoming schedule.
If you were hoping to see Riley Leonard or Alec Pierce back on the field, you've basically got to wait until the 2026 preseason in August. The front office has already confirmed that GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen will be back for 2026, despite the late-season slide that saw them tumble from the top of the AFC standings to third in the AFC South.
The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Even though they aren't playing today, we already know who the Indianapolis Colts will face when things ramp back up. Since they finished third in the division, their 2026 schedule includes:
- Home Games: Ravens, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys, Giants, and the usual AFC South rivals.
- Away Games: Browns, Steelers, Chiefs, Vikings, Eagles, and Commanders.
Searching for the Barrie Colts?
Now, if you are a hockey fan, the word "Colts" means something entirely different today. The Barrie Colts (OHL) just played a massive game last night, Thursday, January 15. They absolutely handled the league-leading Flint Firebirds with a 5-3 win at Sadlon Arena.
Emil Hemming was the star of that show, putting up two goals and two assists. If you are looking for their next game, they aren't on the ice today, Friday, either. They usually have a busy weekend schedule, but today is a recovery day after that statement win.
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Why the Confusion Happens
It's super common for fans to search for what time do colts play today during the middle of January because this is usually playoff season. For years, the Colts were a staple in the AFC postseason picture. When you combine that with the fact that the OHL Colts are in the heat of their regular season, the search results can get kinda messy.
Honestly, the NFL playoffs feel a little empty without the Horseshoe, especially considering how they started this year. Seeing teams like the Texans and Jaguars (before their elimination) represent the AFC South while Indy sits at home is a reminder of how quickly things can go sideways in pro sports.
Key Dates to Watch for Indianapolis Fans
Since there's no game today, here is what you should actually be looking forward to:
- NFL Draft (April 2026): With an 8-9 record, the Colts will have a mid-round pick that needs to be a home run to fix the defensive secondary.
- Full Schedule Release (May 2026): This is when we find out the exact dates and times for those matchups against Dallas and Kansas City.
- Training Camp (July 2026): The first real look at how the team plans to avoid another December collapse.
Actionable Steps for Today
Since the Colts aren't playing today, you might as well get ahead of the 2026 season or catch up on the playoffs that are happening.
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- Check the Divisional Round Schedule: Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 17, the Bills play the Broncos at 4:30 PM ET on CBS. Later that night, the 49ers visit the Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Review the Final Stats: Take a look at Riley Leonard's rookie season numbers. Despite the 8-9 finish, his development remains the most important storyline for the franchise's future.
- Barrie Colts Fans: Keep an eye on the OHL standings. After beating Flint, Barrie is now 26-10-2-4 and look like serious contenders for the Memorial Cup.
The wait for Indianapolis football is going to be long, but the blueprint for 2026 is already being drawn up in the front office.