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          NFL Nation

          Colts play on Thanksgiving and have five-week stretch against potential playoff teams

          The Colts are awaiting Andrew Luck's return after injuries fell the team's star quarterback. AP Photo/Mike McCarn
          • Mike Wells, ESPN Staff WriterApr 14, 2016, 09:05 PM ET
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            • Previously worked at Indianapolis Star, covering the Indiana Pacers for nine seasons
            • Also covered Vikings for St. Paul Pioneer Press
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          Breakdown: The NFL didn't do the Indianapolis Colts any favors with its 2016 schedule. The Colts, who missed the playoffs for the first time in the Andrew Luck era, have to face the defending Super Bowl champions early in the season and they play five potential playoff teams in their final six games of the season. And oh yeah, the Colts don't have a bye after playing Jacksonville in London. Ouch! Not only does Indianapolis travel to Denver in Week 2, it'll be facing the Broncos after they had more than a week off because they're opening the season at home on Sept. 8. The Colts will need some space in the AFC South heading into the final month of the season because they face Pittsburgh, the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders during a five-week stretch.

          No Bye Week: The NFL routinely gives teams a bye the week after playing in London. That's not the case for the Colts. They'll travel over the Atlantic Ocean to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 and then have to return and host the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis the following week. The long travel could impact Indianapolis against Chicago. The Colts will have revenge on their mind against the Jaguars because Jacksonville thoroughly embarrassed Indianapolis 51-16 last December.

          Turkey Day: Speaking of being embarrassed the Colts will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in primetime on Thanksgiving. It'll be the Colts first Thanksgiving game since 2007. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers have humiliated the Colts past two meetings. The Steelers have beaten Indianapolis by a total of 52 points in those two games that were played in Pittsburgh in 2014 and 2015. Maybe a change of stadium - and some pressure on the quarterback - will help the Colts because Roethlisberger and speedy receiver Antonio Brown will be in Lucas Oil Stadium on Thanksgiving night with the mind frame of continuing to make the Indianapolis look like a bunch of turkeys.

          Strength of schedule: 22, .477

          Colts Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, Detroit, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, San Diego, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Jacksonville, 9:30 a.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, Chicago, 1 p.m.

          • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, at Houston, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, Kansas City, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 10: BYE

          • Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, Tennessee, 1 p.m.

          • Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 24, Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 13: Monday, Dec. 5, at NY Jets, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, Houston, 1 p.m.

          • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

          • Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, Jacksonville, 1 p.m.