The Indianapolis Colts will need to do something they haven’t been able to do in years to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday.
Entering Week 18, the Indianapolis Colts have the privilege of controlling their playoff fate. With a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indy will advance to the postseason.
The Colts enter the game 9-7 while Jacksonville comes in 2-14. Indy is playing for a playoff spot and the Jaguars are playing to possibly have the No. 1 pick. Additionally, Indianapolis is a massive favorite.
Despite these factors, there’s a dark cloud hanging over Indy’s head that makes this game seem much more challenging than it should. That cloud is the fact that Indianapolis hasn’t won in Jacksonville since 2014.
Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014
Since 2014, Indianapolis is 0-5 against the Jaguars in Jacksonville and has an additional loss as the road team from the 2016 game in London. At home, however, Indianapolis is 6-1 against Jacksonville, including this year’s win.
In those six seasons, Indy has an overall record of 48-48, the Jaguars, on the other hand, 30-66. No matter the difference in success, the Colts have just been unable to beat the Jaguars on the road.
After Sunday’s loss, veteran T.Y. Hilton, who experienced the losing streak first hand, said, “We don’t play good down there. So we better find a way, or we’re going to be out.”
Well aware that Jacksonville “gets up for the Colts”, DeForest Buckner said that Indy is “dialed in” and focused on getting over the hump.
DeForest Buckner says it's got to be a mentality and a mindset to avoid whatever weird Florida juju has cursed the Colts in Jacksonville.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) January 5, 2022
"We're dialed in."
Colts focused on defeating Jaguars and advancing to playoffs
Whatever mindset or mentality is necessary, Indianapolis better have it come Sunday afternoon. This team has been too special this season to miss out on the playoffs because they can’t beat an incompetent Jaguars team.
Indy is levels better than Jacksonville as a franchise from the top-down, because of that, it shouldn’t matter where this game is played. This Colts team should beat this Jaguars unit anywhere on the globe.
This is the NFL, and anything can happen, but if Indianapolis can’t win in Jacksonville under must-win circumstances, then they don’t need to be in the playoffs.
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