Two NFL analysts predicted the final records for all 32 teams and what the AFC and NFC playoff pictures will look like. The Indianapolis Colts did not make the postseason in either projection — and it wasn’t particularly close.
NFL.com’s Tom Blair had the Colts going 6-11, and Ali Bhanpuri had Indianapolis finishing with a lackluster 4-13 record.
“I don’t feel great about this one, on at least two counts. First, the Colts have won at least eight games in each of Shane Steichen’s three seasons at the helm,” Blair said of his record prediction. “Second, they spent the first two and a half months of last season making their doubters look quite dumb, rampaging to an 8-2 start. Unfortunately for them, the initial half of 2026 looks closer to the closing stretch of ’25, when Indy lost seven straight.”
In both predictions, a very difficult start to the Colts’ 2026 schedule deraiiled the entire season. Bhanpuri has Indianapolis going 1-4 through the first five games, while Blair has the Colts starting the season 0-5.
This tough stretch includes games against Baltimore, Kansas City and Houston, followed by a game in London against Washington, and then a road game in Pittsburgh. Three of these five games will be on the road as well.
The Colts prioritized re-signing Daniel Jones this offseason, operating under the assumption that the success he and the team had through 10 games in 2025 can be replicated.
However, that one move doesn’t mean that GM Chris Ballard is running things back either. In fact, there’s been quite a bit of roster turnover. Ballard moved on from Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore, and Michael Pittman, while also making 10 outside additions during free agency. Another 20 players were brought in between the draft and undrafted free agency.
That said, even with all these roster moves, did the Colts get better around Jones? That remains to be seen. A number of question marks still exist on this roster, including how will the Colts replace Pittman’s production? Does the pass rush improve around Laiatu Latu? Can CJ Allen and AJ Haulcy provide stability at linebacker and safety?
In addition to all that, Jones is coming off a major injury as well.
Presumably, this will be a make-or-break season for Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL record predictions: Analysts have Colts missing playoffs again
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
