The Indiana Colts' Remaining 2007 Schedule: Analyzing Team's Chances

As the Indianapolis Colts attempt to keep pace with the New England Patriots for the AFC's best record, which could be more than crucial come playoff time with a home field advantage in the balance, they realize the meatiest part of their schedule is before them. Games with the Panthers, Chargers, and Jaguars loom, as well as the biggie versus New England. The Colts remaining 2007 schedule has a couple of breathers on it, but they are few and far between. Here's a look at what the NFL has placed in front of them for the remainder of the year.

The Colts have a 6-0 record after their Monday Night Football thrashing of the Jaguars in Week Seven. They will have to travel to Carolina for Week Eight for a battle with the Panthers on the last Sunday of October. The Panthers shaky quarterback situation is doubtful to have been resolved by then, meaning that the Colts and Peyton Manning will have an easier time of things than when this game was first looked at as the campaign began. The first Sunday of November brings the much anticipated Patriots' contest, sure to be hyped as the game of the year. The winner will have an inside track at the valuable home field advantage that will play an important part come January.

There is no break or rest for the weary, as Indianapolis then must head out to the West Coast for a meeting with the San Diego Chargers in what promises to be an entertaining and high-scoring affair. That tilt will be a Sunday night feature, as the league is more than happy to showcase the Colts in prime time to boost their television ratings. After the Chargers game, Indy comes back to the Midwest to take on the Kansas City Chiefs and their much-improved defense. Running back Larry Johnson will be hard pressed to move the chains as often as Manning and company will, meaning quarterback Damon Huard will have to step up and rise to the occasion, something which he has not done on a regular basis.

The Colts will meet the hapless Falcons on Thanksgiving evening, November 22nd, a game which will test even the most ardent fan's ability to stay focused with the outcome of this one more than likely decided before halftime and the bountiful choices of food and good company to distract them. Atlanta is a train wreck, and the Colts should have no problem in Georgia. They will surely welcome the ten days in between games, as they will be getting ready to host the Jaguars, a team which they beat in Jacksonville handily. The last two road games follow, one on the East Coast and the other on the opposite side of the country. First up is a December 9th game with the Baltimore Ravens, followed by yet another trip west to play the Oakland Raiders. The Ravens will be a stiff test in the Charm City, but Oakland's lack of offensive firepower should mean a relatively easy win in California.

The final pair of home games will be against divisional foes that the Colts have already beaten on their own turf. Two days before Christmas the Texans come to town, and then a day prior to New Year's Eve the regular season ends with a match-up against the Tennessee Titans that will undoubtedly mean much more to Vince Young and company than the Colts, unless home field is still up in the air or unsettled. If the contest is meaningless for Indianapolis, fantasy owners everywhere that have depended on Manning and his cohorts all season long will have to go to Plan B in their Super Bowls. Indianapolis will not expose its stars to possible injury, not with an NFL title to try to defend in the coming weeks.