Schedule: 3 Chess Matches for Colts' Shane Steichen

The Indianapolis Colts have officially released their 2023 schedule. Who will be the true tests of football mentality for new head coach Shane Steichen?

It’s official. The Indianapolis Colts have their 2023 schedule on the books and are ready to go.

There are plenty of intriguing matchups on tap for the first year of the Shane Steichen era. With these games listed out, it’s time to cement three matchups that could be great games given the mind that Steichen has for football, as well as his opponent.

Along with these games will be individual score predictions and a breakdown of what could happen between the two respective head coaches.

Starting our list will be a divisional foe with a brilliant offensive guru at the helm.

Weeks 1 and 6: Jacksonville Jaguars – HC Doug Pederson

Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars flew through the AFC South in 2022, even snagging an AFC Wild Card round victory during the playoffs in the process. Headman Doug Pederson flipped the script on quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s season and catapulted the Jaguars to prominence.

This will be a divisional matchup for Steichen’s Colts, so there will be two score predictions for this one.

The Jaguars' defense will need to improve to stop Steichen’s vertical passing scheme. The Colts will be more aggressive than they were in 2022, and likely more efficient. However, Pederson is no slouch and is arguably one of the best offensive schemers in the NFL.

I predict these games will be higher scoring than some may think. However, Steichen will be learning the ropes as a head coach. He’ll get the Jaguars in Weeks 1 and 6, which will be a bit too early for how young and inexperienced the Colts’ offense could be.

Predictions: Jaguars win both games, 34-21 (Week 1) and 28-27 (Week 6)

Week 9: Carolina Panthers – HC Frank Reich

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

This one will be a fun one to watch given the situation at head coach. Frank Reich, now with the Carolina Panthers, was the leader of the Colts for four and a half seasons, finishing 40-33-1 with two playoff appearances and a single postseason win.

Now, post-Indianapolis, Reich will look to get a big win against his former team. However, this will be a battle of different offensive strategies. Steichen is the run-heavy, explosive, and vertical thinker, and Reich is the quick-passing, screen-centric play-caller. These opposite plans will be interesting to see in real-time facing head-to-head.

Both coaches are also going into the 2023 year with rookie quarterbacks and new teams. They also have their game plans ready to fit the strengths of their quarterbacks. With the potential of Anthony Richardson versus Bryce Young, this one will be a can’t-miss type of game.

Prediction: Colts win, 27-20

Week 10: New England Patriots – HC Bill Belichick

Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret what the New England Patriots typically do to first or second-year starting quarterbacks. Just ask Colts QB Sam Ehlinger, who struggled mightily in Foxborough last season, leading to the firing of the aforementioned Reich after a brutal loss.

Enter Steichen and it could be a different story, but could also stay the same course should Richardson be the starter. For this entry, it will be assumed that the rookie has had a couple of starts under his belt to this point.

While Belichick is a true master of defense, the Patriots' offense has been quite underwhelming with Mac Jones as the quarterback. With Jones as the QB for this entry, I see a defensive battle in store. Steichen could be forced to try to beat Belichick with the vertical element if the Patriots take away the short passing game or Empty Theory. On the other side, Belichick could have to rely on Jones to throw heavily if Indy takes away the ground game.

At the end of the day, Belichick will continue to have his winning ways against inexperienced passers.

Prediction: Patriots win, 23-17

Outlook 

Steichen is a perfect offensive brain to mesh with a rookie like Richardson. Along with Richardson, there is also a multitude of young pieces on the offense that any new head coach has to be happy to have. All things considered, it’s going to be entertaining to see what Steichen has cooked up going against other great thinkers in the NFL.

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