INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are in rebound mode after missing the playoffs and not reaching 11 wins for the first time under general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano last season. Quarterback Andrew Luck is expected to be healthy after missing nine games because of injuries. A healthy Luck means the Colts will be in contention to win the AFC South for the third time in five seasons with him as the quarterback.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m. ET

Lions coach Jim Caldwell faces his former team for the first time since being fired by the Colts following their 2-14 season in 2011. The Lions suffered a substantial blow in the offseason when receiver Calvin Johnson retired at the age of 30. Detroit doesn't have an offense capable of staying with Luck, especially with the game being played at Lucas Oil Stadium. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Andrew Luck vs. Peyton Manning showdown ended after four games. Now it'll be Luck vs. whoever the Broncos name as their new starter. The Broncos get the edge in this one because the game is in Denver and they still have a formidable defense that knows how to get after the quarterback. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, vs. San Diego Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is still talented and San Diego has won six of the past seven meetings against the Colts, including in 2013. But the Chargers have also missed the playoffs in five of the past six seasons. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at Jacksonville Jaguars (game played in London), 9:30 a.m. ET

The Colts don't need a reminder about what happened the last time they faced the Jaguars (a 51-16 loss last December). Indianapolis gets revenge for that embarrassing loss, as the defense does enough to fluster Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler grew up in Indiana, but his homecoming won't be pleasant. Colts Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis takes advantage of Cutler's errant throws to help the defense give Luck and the offense a short field with which to work. Record: 4-1.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, at Houston Texans, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Colts have won three straight games against the Texans in Houston. That streak ends because Texans defensive end JJ Watt finally has help on offense with the addition of quarterback Brock Osweiler. Record: 4-2.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET

The Titans traded away the No. 1 overall pick to get more picks in the draft. The decision to do that may pay off at some point, but the players the Titans have acquired to surround quarterback Marcus Mariota aren't ready yet to get them past Indianapolis. Record: 5-2.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET

This is a rematch of the incredible 2013 wild-card game in which Luck led the Colts back from a 28-point second half deficit in their 45-44 victory. The Colts have won 13 of the past 15 meetings against Kansas City. Record: 6-2.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET

Luck vs. Aaron Rodgers. Football fans couldn't ask for a better matchup. Too bad Luck's first trip to Lambeau Field will be a frosty one because Rodgers shreds apart a shaky Colts defense. Record: 6-3.

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET

The Colts have won eight straight over the Titans in Indianapolis. There's no reason to believe that streak won't get extended to nine games. Record: 7-3.

Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 24, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 p.m. ET

Different stadium, same result for the Colts against the Steelers in their first Thanksgiving Day game since 2007. The Colts have been blown out by a total of 52 points in their past two meetings against Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger and speedy receiver Antonio Brown will continue to have a field day against an Indianapolis defense that didn't sack the quarterback in either of those two games. Record: 7-4.

Week 13: Monday, Dec. 5, at New York Jets, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Jets got the best of Luck and the Colts on Monday Night Football last season when they forced them into five turnovers. Luck learns his lesson and bounces back to lead the Colts to a rare road victory outside of the division. Record: 8-4.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

The Texans got their first victory in Indianapolis in 14 tries last season. The Colts need this game to make sure the Texans don't get the tiebreaker over them in what could end up being a tight race in the AFC South. Record: 9-4.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is still the NFL's premier running back despite being 31 years old. The Colts finished 25th in the NFL in stopping the run last season. Their desire to focus so much on Peterson made them vulnerable to the play-action pass with Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Record: 9-5.

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET

The odds would have definitely been in the Colts' favor a couple of seasons ago, but the Raiders continue to get better. The Colts better protect Luck in this one because the Raiders added former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin to go with Khalil Mack, giving them them a lethal one-two pass-rush combo.Record: 9-6.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET

There won't be any resting of Luck or any other key player in this game. The Colts will need this victory to win the division. Record: 10-6.