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Game-by-game predictions: Indianapolis Colts

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Buffalo, 4:25 p.m. ET

The bad news for the Colts is that it’s Rex Ryan’s first game as coach of the Bills and they added running back LeSean McCoy. The good news for the Colts is that they don’t have to play in Buffalo in December. The other good news is that Buffalo’s quarterback situation is dicey. Colts 24, Bills 17. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Monday, Sept. 21, NY Jets, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Jets will be better defensively with the addition of cornerback Darrelle Revis. But they still have questions at quarterback. Colts 21, Jets 10. Record: 2-0

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Tennessee, 1 p.m. ET

Will it be defensive lineman Leonard Williams or quarterback Marcus Mariota the Colts will be facing? Or will it be quarterback Philip Rivers? It really doesn’t matter for the Colts. Colts 28, Titans 14. Record: 3-0

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET

The Jaguars are headed in the right direction, but they’ve still got a lot of work ahead of them to catch the Colts in the division. Colts 31, Jaguars 10. Record: 4-0

Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 8, at Houston, 8:25 p.m. ET

This game will be all about Andre Johnson's return to Houston, but fellow receiver T.Y. Hilton will continue to dominate the Texans on their home field. Hilton has 16 receptions for 344 yards and four touchdowns in his last two trips to Houston. Colts 21, Texans 17. Record: 5-0

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, New England, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Patriots lost some key players on defense, but they’ve beaten the Colts four straight times by an average of 29 points. New England will continue to have the edge until the Colts prove they can stop the run. Patriots 35, Colts 30. Record: 5-1

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, New Orleans, 1 p.m. ET

You can never count out Saints quarterback Drew Brees, but his offense took a significant hit in trading tight end Jimmy Graham. The New Orleans defense will have a difficult time slowing down the Colts offense. Colts 31, Saints 21. Record: 6-1

Week 8: Monday, Nov. 2, at Carolina, 8:30 p.m. ET

It’s Andrew Luck vs. Cam Newton, the first two players taken in the 2012 and 2011 draft, squaring off. Newton makes the Colts pay with his mobility, but Indianapolis has the better team. Colts 26, Panthers 20. Record: 7-1

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, Denver, 4:25 p.m. ET

Peyton Manning walks off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium to a standing ovation. It’s not because the Broncos beat the Colts, though. It’s because the fans know this might be the last time they see Manning play a game in that stadium. Colts 34, Broncos 24. Record: 8-1

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Atlanta, 1 p.m. ET

Dan Quinn was Seattle’s defensive coordinator before becoming Atlanta’s head coach. Too bad Quinn couldn’t pack up some of the Seahawks defensive players and bring them to Atlanta with him. Colts 28, Falcons 17. Record: 9-1

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. ET

Quarterback Jameis Winston, the likely No. 1 overall pick, faces Luck for the first time. Veteran linebacker Robert Mathis makes it a long afternoon for Winston by staying in his face all game. Colts 30, Buccaneers 14. Record: 10-1

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Pittsburgh, 8:30 p.m. ET

Here’s another opportunity for the Colts to redeem themselves for a bad loss in 2014. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t throw for 522 yards again against the Colts, but he still leads Pittsburgh to the win. Steelers 33, Colts 27. Record: 10-2

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET

The Jaguars have made strides under second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, but they’re catching Indianapolis at the wrong time because the Colts are coming off a Monday night loss to the Steelers the week before. Colts 41, Jaguars 17. Record: 11-2

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, Houston, 1 p.m. ET

This one is easy. The Texans head to Lucas Oil Stadium with a 0-13 all-time record against the Colts in Indianapolis. They'll be 0-14 by the time the game ends. Colts 28, Texans 21. Record: 12-2

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, at Miami, 1 p.m. ET

The Dolphins are fighting for a playoff spot heading into the final two weeks of the seasons. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh brings pressure up the middle the entire game. Dolphins 24, Colts 20. Record: 12-3

Week 17: Jan. 3, Tennessee, 1 p.m. ET

The Colts have already wrapped up the AFC South, they still have work to do to get home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Colts 28, Titans 10. Record: 13-3