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

AFC playoff picture Week 14: Colts enter the home stretch

The Indianapolis Colts are riding a four-game winning streak with five games remaining as they look to solidify their standing in the AFC playoff picture.

For the first time since 2018, the Colts went on the road to defeat the Tennessee Titans. It also marked the first time since 2018 that the Colts completed a season sweep over the Titans.

Now, it’s time to take a look at the updated AFC playoff picture entering Week 14:

The Big Picture

Denny Simmons/The Tennessean
  • The Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens sit atop the conference with 9-3 records.
  • The Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars both fell in the race after being upset at home in Week 13.
  • There is a four-way tie for the final three wild-card spots.
  • There are seven teams separated by one game in the standings for the final three spots. There are nine teams within two games of each other for the final three spots.

This Week's Talking Point

Robert Scheer/IndyStar

The Colts are on the road again to visit rookie Jake Browing and the Cincinnati Bengals, who are one game behind Indy in the playoff race. The Colts have been road warriors, owning a 5-1 record away from Lucas Oil Stadium. The implications of this matchup will have a massive impact on the playoff picture down the stretch.

We'll Also Discuss

Robert Scheer/IndyStar
  • What to know entering the Week 14 matchup.
  • Key matchups to watch for against the Bengals.
  • The return of DT Grover Stewart from suspension.

AFC Playoff Picture

Robert Scheer/IndyStar

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

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.
15 Saturday, Dec. 16 vs Steelers 4:30 p.m.
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

Notes

  • Four of the final five games remaining come against AFC opponents.
  • The winning percentage of the remaining opponents combined is 31-29 (.517).
  • The Colts wrap up their AFC North section of the schedule over the next two weeks.
  • The Colts are technically one game out from the top of the division but seeing as the Jaguars won both matchups, Indy would need to finish the season with a better record if they want to jump them in the standings.
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