The Indianapolis Colts have had a topsy-turvy season, and it’s started under center. Anthony Richardson has struggled for the majority of this season and, entering November, it looked as if Joe Flacco was going to be the man tasked with getting a .500 team into the playoffs.
They pivoted back to Richardson in Week 11. While the results have been spotty, they have a winning record since his return, and the offense has shown signs of the potential we penciled them in for this preseason. However, they will now be going back to Flacco in Week 17 due to a Richardson injury.
Teams with a wide range of outcomes aren’t fun to face in a win-or-go-home setting. Could this bizarre season see the Colts snap a three-year playoff drought?
Using PFN’s Playoff Predictor, we break down the scenarios needed for Indianapolis to get a postseason invite.
What Is the Indianapolis Colts’ Current Playoff Picture?
The Houston Texans are AFC South champions, but as the second-place team, the Colts still have a pulse for the last Wild Card spot.
Entering the weekend, Indy (7-8) checks in as the eighth-best team in the AFC. That standing is a bit deceiving, as they are tied with the Dolphins in terms of overall record, looking up at the 9-6 Broncos and 8-8 Bengals.
The Colts can’t clinch this weekend, they can only earn the right to play a meaningful game next Sunday — and even that is going to require some help.
If they lose, their season is over. That’s not a likely outcome, however, as they are a 7.5-point road favorite against the New York Giants (over the past decade, teams favored by at least 7.5 points win 81.1% of the time). They will have a similar chance of winning next weekend with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town, though that game shouldn’t be overlooked, as Jacksonville handed them a 37-34 defeat back in Week 5.
Sweeping their remaining games is only half the battle.
- Broncos: at Bengals, vs. Chiefs
- Bengals: win over Broncos, at Steelers
- Dolphins: at Browns, at Jets
The Chargers got the win over the New England Patriots so they have clinched a spot. Now, the Colts need the Broncos to lose out. Things went well in Week 17 after the Broncos fell to the Bengals in overtime.
The Dolphins are tied in the standings, but the Colts get the benefit of the tiebreaker should both teams win out, courtesy of a Week 7 16-10 head-to-head victory.