The 2025 Indianapolis Colts are not going to be a team that is competing in the postseason. After the first eight weeks of the season, that would have been a nearly unthinkable idea, but come Week 18, that's the reality fans of the team are facing.
The Colts truly went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows after their bye week, but in Week 18, they still have the opportunity to hurt a division rival. The Texans are assured of a playoff spot, but their seeding can still change.
Since Indy doesn't own the rights to its own first-round pick thanks to the team's ill-fated midseason trade for CB Sauce Gardner, there's no reason not to play as hard as possible for the win in Week 18. It may not matter outside of just this week, but it would speak to the culture Shane Steichen has been able to build in the organization.
Bold predictions for the Indianapolis Colts versus the Houston Texans in Week 18
Prediction No. 1: Riley Leonard gives hope for the future
Any quarterback's first start in the NFL is a tall task to conquer. To make that start against the 2025 Houston Texans defense only brings that toughness to the extreme. For Riley Leonard to look even serviceable against what is arguably the defense in the NFL would be a testament to his skill set.
Obviously, the odds are that Leonard is not the long-term answer to the Colts quarterback question. However, what he could prove to be is a viable backup quarterback on a cheap rookie deal that would give the team insurance should their starter go down again in the future.
Backup quarterbacks can make or break a team. Just ask Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles. Leonard is most likely not going to come even close to Foles' performance in that magical Super Bowl run throughout his career, but to turn out as a viable backup quarterback would be a boon to a team that is severely hamstrung in their draft capital.
Prediction No. 2: Laiatu Latu hits 10 sacks on the year
With bigger-name players like DeForest Buckner and Sauce Gardner having dealt with consistent injury issues this season, there has been one player who has stood out as the most consistent performer on the defense.
That player is Laiatu Latu, and in Week 18, he has the opportunity to make a desperate break for 10 sacks. He stands at eight and a half on the year before the game, and if he were to bring down C.J. Stroud just one and a half more times, it would make his first 10-sack year of his career.
Latu has proven that he has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone this year. He's not there yet, but given time he can get there, and to get to the 10 sack number in just his second year would be a huge step in his journey.
Prediction No. 3: Colts losing streak continues
It stinks to say it, but the 2025 Colts are most likely going to end their regular season with seven straight losses. That's not ideal, to say the least. Playing against a very good Houston Texans team, who will start all of their best players with rookie quarterback Riley Leonard, does not bode well for snapping that streak.
The hope is that Leonard shows out and the Colts punch a division rival in the nose. However, the reality is probably closer to the idea that the Colts' cursed streak will continue. There is still some hope to be gleaned from this lost season, however.
Shane Steichen proved that when he has enough healthy players, he can command a real contender in the NFL. The other positive is that the Colts were by far the most snake-bitten team in the league this past season, and ideally, they're due for some good luck next year.
Time will tell if Daniel Jones is brought back, and even what he will look like when he returns, if he is brought back. Still, with an entire offseason to rest and get healthy, the 2026 Colts will be sure to fight to prove they're still the real deal. 2025 may have ended in disappointment, but there are real things to hope for in the future.