Super Bowl or Bust? Is that the Colts season outlook or just the fan and owner expectations? While the players don’t like the “Bust” moniker for a lack of a Super Bowl victory, that is the ultimate goal for their season in their minds.

Every rep, every down, every play, every game is a new stepping stone on the way to a special season. Every player must have this mindset, from Pro Bowl Quarterback Andrew Luck, to the newcomers listed above, to returning pass-rushing behemoth Robert Mathis, to even fringe roster player Tyler Varga.

This has been the goal since Chuck Pagano regime began to experience success, as he stated in his locker room return from cancer treatment in 2012: “I am here, to dance at my two daughters’ weddings and hoist that Lombardi several times”.

For the last three years, though, public opinion considered Coach Pagano’s goal to be anywhere from ludicrous to unreasonable. That is, until January 11th 2015, when the Colts dominated Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos in a 24-13 in an AFC Divisional Game. Media and fans realized the Colts were one game away from appearing in the Super Bowl.

A week later they were trounced by the Patriots 7-45 in a game better known for the footballs’ PSI than the gameplay, but expectations were still on the Lombardi Trophy. With the addition of many excellent players, the offseason has ended and the result is a team roster that might finally have the talent to reach the ultimate goal.

Key Games this year are: against the Houston Texans, vs. the New England Patriots, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and vs. the Denver Broncos. These games are against potential playoff teams and are a key measuring stick on their way to a Championship:

The Houston game is a test to see if the Colts are still the best team in their own division. This is game not only will showcase its usual battle of the of the best players in the NFL the Colts QB Andrew Luck vs. Texan’s monstrous DE JJ Watt, who is widely considered the best player in the sport of football, but it will also feature new Colts addition Andre Johnson’s return to his previous team of eleven seasons. This game is the easiest of the four key games, yet still vital to their success.

The Patriots’ game is not only a big test for the Colts, but has an abundance of drama. With storylines like the “deflategate” saga and its aftermath, the possible return of Tom Brady, the Patriots beat the Colts in the last two playoffs; all on top of the previously most heated rivalry in football. Drama aside, this game promises to have no love lost between these two teams. The Colts spent all of their offseason preparing to beat the Patriots, and this is their first chance to accomplish that goal. Lucas Oil Stadium will be filled to the brim and the whole nation will be tuning in for what promises to be a memorable night.

Toward the end of the regular season the Colts will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, which is a rematch from the worst regular season lost for the Colts, where Ben Roethlisberger threw for an NFL record tying six TDs and over 400 yards as the Colts were obliterated. While the Steelers’ defense is more vulnerable than ever, the Steelers’ offense is just as dynamic and explosive as it was last year, with returning star players Roethlisberger, Running Back Le’Veon Bell, and wide receiver Antonio Brown. While the improved Colts offense should be able to keep up with the Steelers’ offense, the key in this game will be if the Colts can slow down one of the Steelers’ trio of playmakers.

The final critical game of the Colts 2015 season is at home against the Denver Broncos. If this is legendary quarterback Peyton Manning’s last season, then this could be his final game against his old team (barring an injury or the a playoff game). This game will feature two high profile offenses with great quarterbacks, amazing wide receivers, weak offensive lines, and a few good veteran pass rushers. This game has a high chance for a shootout, in which case both teams could each realistically score 30+ points. With the large amount of points being scored, the key to this game maybe who has the ball last. These two quarterbacks are known for their brilliance late in games and thus a late game-winning touchdown from either Manning or Luck is not out of the question.