The playoffs seem to slowly be slipping away from the Colts after their recent slide. If they continue that slide and lose Sunday, there won’t be anything left to play for.
This Sunday is a big game for both the Colts and the Titans. Both teams come into Sunday 6-5 and fighting for a wild card spot, and still the divisional crown. But one team is coming in hot, while the other team is faltering. Unfortunately, the Colts are the team faltering.
Losing three of their last four games, the Colts are in crisis mode. Losing this game would mean they would be behind the Titans, Steelers, and Raiders for the sixth seed. They would still also be behind the Texans for the divisional title.
So if the Colts do not find a way to win this game, they should try to lose the rest of them. They should try to improve their draft position and see if they can still get a top 10 pick. If they’re not going to make the playoffs, why try to win and get a worse draft pick?
Typically tanking is thought to be a practice when teams are so bad that they can get a top 5 or top 3 pick. But it can be used for teams who are just outside the playoffs as well. The better the draft position, the better the player the Colts can take.
The best way to avoid this scenario is for the Colts to just win on Sunday. Beating Tennessee would keep them alive not just for the wild card, but the division title as well. But if they do fail to beat an AFC South opponent for the second straight week, they might look at alternative methods to finish their season.