As we move deeper into the second half of the 2024 NFL season, the postseason starts to come into view. The Indianapolis Colts were supposed to take a step forward with a new coaching staff and a full year with sophomore QB Anthony Richardson.
Instead, they’ve changed QBs multiple times, and their year could go either way. But after a win against the New York Jets in Week 11, can they make a run for the postseason?
Let’s examine the Colts’ playoff odds and various scenarios.
Can the Indianapolis Colts Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Indianapolis Colts are 5-6 and now have a 29.5% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the 1 seed, a 0.1% chance for the second seed, a 0.8% chance for the third seed, a 16.0% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.8% chance for the fifth seed, a 3.6% chance for the sixth seed, and a 8.3% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Colts Win the AFC South?
Here’s what the AFC South race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Houston Texans have an 81.4% chance to win the AFC South.
- The Indianapolis Colts have a 16.9% chance to win the AFC South.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars have a 0.4% chance to win the AFC South.
- The Tennessee Titans have a 1.3% chance to win the AFC South.
Current AFC South Standings
- Houston Texans (7-4)
- Indianapolis Colts (5-6)
- Tennessee Titans (2-8)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
Colts’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Colts win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Indianapolis has a 0.3% chance to win it all.
Colts’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 13: at New England Patriots
- Week 14: BYE
- Week 15: at Denver Broncos
- Week 16: vs. Tennessee Titans
- Week 17: at New York Giants
- Week 18: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
What PFN Predicted for the Colts vs. Jets Matchup
This is a crucial game for both teams. With seven losses already, the Jets’ postseason hopes are hanging by a thread. Realistically, they need to win out to have any chance of getting in. A loss to the Colts would essentially end their season.
As for the Colts, they may be able to afford one more loss, but only one. They surely don’t want to burn it here against a very beatable Jets team. But this is not an easy spot on the road.
Once 2-1, the Jets have lost six of their last seven. Acquiring Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders did not save their season. Firing Robert Saleh did not save their season.
In fact, the Jets have gotten worse since dismissing their head coach.
The Jets defense has allowed the highest EPA/play of any team in the league since they fired Robert Saleh
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) November 11, 2024
What was supposed to be the team’s backbone has cratered. But if there were ever a spot to get back on track, it’s at home against a Colts team that can’t seem to figure out who it wants to play quarterback.
Over the past month alone, head coach Shane Steichen has committed to Richardson as the starting QB, benched him for Joe Flacco, proclaimed Flacco would be the starter the rest of the year, benched him for Richardson and then proclaimed Richardson would be the starter for the rest of the year.
snip snap snip snap snip snap https://t.co/S0Mna2Dyd1 pic.twitter.com/QHlDGaukEW
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) November 13, 2024
Who knows where the young QB’s confidence is at the moment? As poor as the Jets have played defensively overall, the talent is still there. Two weeks ago, we saw this defense give C.J. Stroud fits on Thursday night in their only win since Week 3. I have a sneaking suspicion the defense is going to show up once again, propelling the Jets to victory in Richardson’s return to the starting role.
PFN Prediction: Jets 17, Colts 14