So, you’re looking for the kickoff time or the channel for the game this weekend. You want to know who do the colts play on sunday, but the reality is a bit of a gut punch for the Horseshoe faithful.
The Indianapolis Colts aren’t playing this Sunday. Period.
After a brutal 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans on January 4, the Colts’ 2025-2026 campaign officially hit a wall. They finished the season with an 8-9 record, landing them in third place in the AFC South. While that record might look okay on paper to a casual observer, it wasn’t enough to crack the postseason. They are sitting at home while the rest of the league moves into the Divisional Round.
Honestly, it’s a weird feeling for Indy fans right now. Usually, by mid-January, we're either deep in playoff anxiety or already scouting the top five draft picks. This year, we're in that frustrating middle ground.
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The Sunday Schedule: Who Is Actually Playing?
While the answer to who do the colts play on sunday is "nobody," there is a massive slate of NFL action happening on January 18, 2026. If you’re a football junkie who just needs a fix, here is what the Sunday TV schedule looks like:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This one starts at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN and ABC. Seeing the Texans here hurts, especially since they were the ones who basically ended the Colts' season in Week 18.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. It’s a huge NFC matchup at Soldier Field.
It’s definitely a "what could have been" weekend. If Indy had managed to squeeze out one more win against Jacksonville or held on in that overtime thriller against Kansas City back in November, they might be the ones traveling to Foxborough right now.
Why the Season Fizzled Out
It wasn't just one game that did them in. The Colts entered the final stretch of the season with real momentum, sitting at 8-2 after beating the Falcons in Germany. People were starting to talk about a deep playoff run. Then, the wheels just... fell off.
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A seven-game losing streak to end the season is almost unheard of for a team that started that hot. They lost close ones, they got blown out by the 49ers, and they just couldn't find a way to stop the bleeding. By the time they reached the finale against Houston, the vibe had shifted from "playoff contender" to "please just let this end."
Who Do the Colts Play Next? Looking at the 2026 Opponents
Since there’s no game this Sunday, the conversation has already shifted to the 2026 schedule. We don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops that bombshell in May—but we know exactly who is coming to Lucas Oil Stadium and where the team is traveling.
The Home Games at Lucas Oil Stadium:
The 2026 home slate is actually pretty exciting. We’re going to see the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Dallas Cowboys in Indy. Plus, the usual divisional rivals: the Texans, Jaguars, and Titans. Oh, and the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins are also on the guest list.
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The Road Trips:
The away schedule looks a bit more daunting. The Colts have to travel to Arrowhead to face the Kansas City Chiefs again. They also have trips to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and a flight up to Minnesota.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Third-Place Finish
There is a tiny silver lining to finishing third in the AFC South. Because of the way the NFL structures its schedule based on divisional standings, the Colts get a "third-place" schedule for their crossover games.
Basically, this means instead of playing the first-place teams from the AFC West or NFC North, they get the teams that also finished third. That’s why we’re playing the Dolphins and Vikings instead of, say, the Bills or the Lions. It’s a slight competitive advantage that could help turn that 8-9 record back into a winning one next year.
Actionable Next Steps for Colts Fans
Since you won't be heading to a watch party for an Indy game this Sunday, here’s how to handle the offseason transition:
- Watch the Texans-Patriots game: Keep an eye on C.J. Stroud. Like it or not, he’s the benchmark for the AFC South right now, and the Colts have to figure out how to beat him twice a year if they want to see January football in 2027.
- Scout the Draft: With a mid-tier pick, the Colts are in a prime position to snag a high-end defensive playmaker or more protection for Riley Leonard. Start looking at the Mock Drafts; the Senior Bowl is right around the corner.
- Check the 2026 Ticket Waitlist: If you’re planning on catching those home games against Dallas or Baltimore, those tickets are going to fly. Check your account status now before the official schedule release in the spring.
The answer to who do the colts play on sunday might be disappointing for now, but the road to next season has already started. We’re just in the "waiting for the schedule to drop" phase.