Following their collapse that resulted in a 28-24 loss on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) find themselves in a bit of hot water as the playoff picture settles in Week 17.
Currently holding the No. 8 seed in the playoff picture—on the outside looking in—the Colts will need some help in order to get in. There are four spots up for grabs in the AFC with five teams all sitting at 10-5.
Assuming the Colts beat the Jaguars in Week 17, here’s what else would need to happen in order for the Colts to get into the playoffs:
Wild Card
Colts clinch a playoff berth with a win against the Jaguars AND
- Ravens loss at Bengals OR
- Browns loss vs. Steelers OR
- Dolphins loss at Bills
Division
Colts clinch the AFC South with a win against the Jaguars AND
- Titans loss at Texans
Because the Titans, Dolphins, Ravens and Browns all hold tiebreakers over the Colts, it will take a lot of help for Indy to get into the playoffs.
The matchup most likely to keep an eye on will be the Dolphins game. The Bills are still fighting for the No. 2 seed and may not rest their starters where as the Steelers are likely to do so against the Browns given they haven’t had a bye since Week 4.
The Ravens should be expected to beat the Bengals while the Titans should be expected to beat the Texans. The latter game does become interesting if Deshaun Watson plays but there is talk the Texans will sit him given that there is nothing to play for.
There’s also the chance that the Colts win and all four teams also win their matchups. If that happens, Indy will be an 11-5 team that missed out on the playoffs.
So when looking at the scenarios, the Colts could either win the division and be the No. 4 seed or miss out on the playoffs entirely.
It should be a fun week!
