This past Tuesday, Roger Goodell put on his best poker face and released the 2011 NFL schedule. Assuming that there is pigskin played in the fall of 2011, here is an analysis of the Colts’ schedule:

Sept. 11 at Houston
The NFL is taunting the Colts by starting them in Houston again. One season ago, the Texans shocked the Colts in Week 1 behind Arian Foster's breakout 231-yard rushing performance. This time, the Colts won’t be caught off-guard.

Sept. 18 vs. Cleveland
The Browns showed briefs stints of life in 2010, upsetting both the Saints and the Patriots. However, losing D-Coordinator Rob Ryan will be a killer and Peyton Manning will have a field day in an easy home opener.

Sept. 25 vs. Pittsburgh
The Colts catch a huge break playing this game away from the trenches of Heinz Field. The Steelers will bring their A-game on Sunday night and their defense will test Manning's aging body early in the season. A victory here can prove to all the naysayers that Indy is still a Super Bowl-caliber team.

Oct. 3 at Tampa Bay
In the Colts' only Monday Night game of the season, the youthful Bucs will look to show America that last season’s 10-6 record was no fluke. Raymond James Stadium is no easy place to play, but if the Colts can avoid turning the ball over, they'll take the Battle of Tony Dungy.

Oct. 9 vs. Kansas City
While the Chiefs may have the toughest schedule in the league, their three easiest games come in three of the first four weeks (Buffalo, Detroit, Minnesota). The 2010 AFC West champs know this and will fight hard to win while they still have a pulse. The Colts barely squeaked by KC in Week 5 last year, 19-9.

Oct. 16 at Cincinnati
The Colts will enjoy using one of their AFC road games in front of one of the worst fan bases in North America. The Bengals haven’t had any chemistry since the Boomer Esiason era. Expect the Ochocinco vs. TO vs. Carson Palmer vs. Marvin Lewis feud to be in full swing by Week 6.

Oct. 23 at New Orleans
NBC will hype this Super Bowl XLIV rematch up with home videos and old photos of little Peyton decked out in Saints gear on Bourbon Street. Still bitter about '09 finale and excited to return home, Manning has the chance to put up his best numbers of the season (as long as he watches Matt Hasselbeck film from last season’s playoffs).

Oct. 30 at Tennessee
With Vince Young and Jeff Fisher gone, the drone of Billy Cyrus' guitar is now the most annoying sound in Nashville. If Chris Johnson can cope with 80 percent of the Titans' total offensive plays (my indirect suggestion to the Titans' coaching staff), the Colts, and the rest of the NFL, can find themselves in danger. Also, the Colts catch a bad break here, playing three consecutive road games.

Nov. 6 vs. Atlanta
The Falcons posted the NFC's best record one year ago, but showed their vulnerability in a home playoff loss. The Colts should be able to hold serve at home as long as Matt Ryan doesn't use his mobility to tear through the defense.

Nov. 13 vs. Jacksonville
The Jags don't look too dangerous. Their offense is average and their defense is slow. But that’s what everyone said last year when the Colts barely slid past them for the division. David Garrard is a smart quarterback who will keep Jacksonville in every game.

Nov. 20: Bye
The NFL may not be able to negotiate, but the league is smarter than it looks. All Week 3 games feature teams that share the same bye week later in the season. That way, Weeks 1 and 2 can be pushed back and Week 3 be made up during the bye week. To accommodate this, the league added Week 11 bye teams to its repertoire. If the league does run as planned, the Colts catch a very bad break here. The aging team's health will not be strengthened by 10 straight games to start the season.

Nov. 27 vs. Carolina
If Colts starters are still playing in the third quarter, the Panthers should give themselves a pat on the back. Even with Cam Newton or whoever else may be the first pick, the Panthers will be the weakest team to crawl into Indy.

Dec. 4 at New England
The Colts aren't going to be happy traveling to Foxborough for the second straight season. Other than that, there’s not much to say here. It’ll be the most watched game of the NFL season and either Manning or Tom Brady will settle it on the final drive.

Dec. 11 at Baltimore
Assuming the Colts are returning to the playoffs, this will be a good test before facing some of the top defenses in the conference (i.e. Jets, Chargers, Steelers again). The Ravens' front eight will give Indy headaches and Joe Flacco's mobility can be Baltimore's most potent weapon.

Dec. 18 vs. Tennessee
In the two teams; second matchup, injuries will decide the fate of the two aging rosters. Will Kerry Collins still be running the show for the Titans? How sturdy will the Colts’ defensive line be? Whoever is in better health will have the best chance to win.

Dec. 22 vs. Houston
The Colts get lucky playing this Thursday nighter at home after a Sunday home game. It should be interesting to see where Houston is at this point in the season. In 2010, the Texans started hot, but quickly faded and became a non-factor by Week 12. If they are still relevant by Week 16, the season will be an improvement.

Jan. 1 at Jacksonville
The NFL is assuming the Colts and Jags will be the top two teams in the division again. The Colts lost in Jacksonville in 2010 and this game may decide both teams' playoff fates. The Colts handled last season's late-season pressure and should be expected to do the same in 2011.

Positives:
• Three straight home games (Weeks 9-12)
• Steelers at home
• Final three games within division

Negatives
• Three straight road games (Weeks 6-8)
• Week 11 Bye
• Patriots, Saints, Ravens on the road

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-- JEFFREY EISENBAND
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