The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) stumbled in their chance to secure a playoff spot on Sunday, losing 23-20 to the Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Entering Week 17, the Colts were the No. 5 seed in the playoff picture—the top wild-card team. After their loss to the Raiders and the majority of AFC being done early, the Colts now slide down to the No. 7 seed.
However, the Colts would still control their own playoff destiny if they finish the season with a 10-7 record. Nat Newell of the Indianapolis Star broke it down nicely.
If the Colts are 10-7, they can be behind New England OR Buffalo (11-6), then the Chargers and Raiders could be playing each other at 9-7. But no one else can finish better than 10-7 so Colts are in with a win.
— Nat Newell (@NatJNewell) January 2, 2022
Thanks to the Los Angeles Rams’ late win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Colts just need to beat a division rival with two wins on the season.
So as the Colts head into a Week 18 road matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14), all they have to do is win and they are in. That might mean a trip to Kansas City as the final wild-card team, but it would be better than missing the playoffs after holding it all in their hands.
Regardless of what happens, the Colts have to get better play from Carson Wentz. His last three games have been extremely concerning as the Colts fight for a playoff spot and if they want to be anything more than a fringe wild-card team.
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