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Colts’ 3 biggest strengths entering playoffs

By Jaleel Grandberry

Dec 18, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Andrew Sendejo (42) celebrates an interception by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Andrew Sendejo (42) celebrates an interception by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts
Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

With the playoffs approaching, the Indianapolis Colts will have to lean on the things that made them successful for a strong run.

The Indianapolis Colts are officially in playoff mode. Yes, there’s one game left in the regular season, but Indy has to win to assure that it has a spot in the postseason.

That means the atmosphere in the facilities should already be that of playoff intensity. Players and coaches frequently say that the NFL is already tough, but the playoffs are another level.

Every team finds a way to crank things up a notch and give a little extra. The margin of error gets smaller and wins are much harder to come by when both teams know it could be their last game.

When franchises encounter those moments in the postseason, it’s great to have an identity. Teams need to know the things they do best that they can fall back on when the going gets tough.

Throughout the season, Indianapolis has done a number of things well and that’s why it’s on the verge of making the playoffs. If Indy can continue to do these things well, it can find success in the postseason. Here are the Colts’ 3 biggest strengths entering the playoffs.

Colts are comfortable with adversity

Now is the time when most teams officially adopt a playoff mentality, but Indianapolis has been playing with one since early in the season and that can be advantageous in the playoffs.

The postseason is all about overcoming obstacles, and after the season that Indy has had, it’s no stranger to adversity.

The Colts started the season 1-4, and everyone was ready to count them out. Their schedule wasn’t going to get any easier and it looked as if they would finish the year as a subpar team. Instead of becoming discouraged, Indy fought weekly to dig itself out of the early hole and became one of the league’s best teams.

That path involved playing 13 straight games without a bye week, winning games as the underdog, and finding ways to win even when several star players were missing.

Indianapolis plays with the mentality of its head coach, Frank Reich, who has expressed how much he loves encountering adverse situations just to overcome them. The Colts will certainly meet some unfavorable circumstances in the playoffs, but their experience shows that they’ll be ready to fight.

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