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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Hickey

AFC playoff picture Week 16: Colts staying alive

The Indianapolis Colts have just three games remaining between them and the end of the regular season making the AFC playoff picture even more dire entering Week 16.

Being able to bounce back in an impressive way, the Colts took care of business in a 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at home despite dealing with some injuries to key players.

Now, it’s time to take a look at the updated AFC playoff picture entering Week 16:

The Big Picture

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Baltimore Ravens remain the No. 1 seed and are the only AFC team to have clinched a playoff berth entering Week 16.
  • The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs both won their games to stay at the top of their respective divisions.
  • The Cleveland Browns currently hold a one-game lead for the top wild-card spot.
  • Four wild-card teams have an 8-6 record, two of which come from the AFC South.
  • The Cincinnati Bengals hold the second wild-card spot thanks to head-to-head victories over both the Colts and the Buffalo Bills.

This Week's Talking Point

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Colts go on the road and win a crucial game against the Atlanta Falcons (6-8). Indy will be facing off against quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who was named the starter following Desmond Ridder’s second benching of the season. They have an all-time record of 15-2 against the Falcons, who haven’t beaten the Colts since 2011.

We'll Also Discuss

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
  • The potential return of RB Jonathan Taylor from a thumb injury.
  • Key matchups to watch for against the Falcons.
  • Which teams to root for this weekend.
  • What to know entering the Week 16 matchup.

AFC Playoff Picture

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)
2. Miami Dolphins (10-4)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
5. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
In the hunt
8. Houston Texans (8-6)
9. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
11. Denver Broncos (7-7)

Upcoming Schedule

2023 Regular Season

Week Date Opponent Time (ET) Result
1 Sunday, Sept. 10 vs Jaguars 1:00 p.m. L, 31-21
2 Sunday, Sept. 17 at Texans 1:00 p.m. W, 31-20
3 Sunday, Sept. 24 at Ravens 1:00 p.m. W, 22-19
4 Sunday, Oct. 1 vs Rams 1:00 p.m. L, 29-23
5 Sunday, Oct. 8 vs Titans 1:00 p.m. W, 23-16
6 Sunday, Oct. 15 at Jaguars 1:00 p.m. L, 37-20
7 Sunday, Oct. 22 vs Browns 1:00 p.m. L, 39-38
8 Sunday, Oct. 29 vs Saints 1:00 p.m. L, 38-27
9 Sunday, Nov. 5 at Panthers 4:05 p.m. W, 27-13
10 Sunday, Nov. 12 at Patriots (Germany) 9:30 a.m. W, 10-6
11 Sunday, Nov. 19 BYE BYE BYE
12 Sunday, Nov. 26 vs Buccaneers 1:00 p.m. W, 27-20
13 Sunday, Dec. 3 at Titans 1:00 p.m. W, 31-28
14 Sunday, Dec. 10 at Bengals 1:00 p.m. L, 34-14
15 Saturday, Dec. 16 vs Steelers 4:30 p.m. W, 30-13
16 Sunday, Dec. 24 at Falcons 1:00 p.m.
17 Sunday, Dec. 31 vs Raiders 1:00 p.m.
18 TBD vs Texans TBD

 

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