Indianapolis Colts: Complete 2012 Schedule and Quick Hit Thoughts

The NFL released the complete 2012 schedule for the Indianapolis Colts Tuesday night.

I'll post a game-by-game prediction for the Colts in the next few days, but here are my quick-hit thoughts.

• Hey, We're Just Getting Started. The Colts get a Week 4 bye. That seems ridiculously early to be taking a week off. It does give Indy two weeks to prepare for the Packers, however, so if they can use it to their advantage, maybe they can keep things close for a half.

• Reminders of What Was. The Colts play New England again in 2012, but it just won't be the same. The Colts-Patriots games have been among the most entertaining of the year for the last several seasons, but without Peyton Manning involved, the matchup lacks luster.

• Get Comfy, Kid. The NFL did the Colts a favor by placing two of the least desirable games on their home slate early in the season. Week 2 and Week 3 games against the Vikings and Jaguars could be tough sells later in the year, as the Colts still have a few thousand tickets remaining for all games. However, enthusiasm to see Andrew Luck should still be high early in the season, so expect the Colts to keep their sell-out streak intact, at least for awhile. Meanwhile, with four home games and a bye in the first seven weeks, Andrew Luck should have plenty of time to get acclimated to his new offense in a friendly environment.

Week 1: @ Chicago

Week 2: Minnesota

Week 3: Jacksonville

Week 4 : Bye

Week 5: Green Bay

Week 6: @ New York Jets

Week 7: Cleveland

Week 8: @ Tennessee

Week 9: Miami

Week 10: @ Jacksonville (Thursday Night Football)

Week 11: @ New England

Week 12: Buffalo

Week 13: @ Detroit

Week 14: Tennessee

Week 15: @ Houston

Week 16: @ Kansas City

Week 17: Houston