The playoff picture is beginning to take shape, at least as far as what the Indianapolis Colts need to accomplish the rest of the season. The team was once 7-1 and appeared to be the class of the NFL. Three games later, and Indy might be fighting for its playoff life.
The team is now one game out of the top playoff seed for the AFC after leading that for much of the year. The positive part is that Indy has a tie-break over the Denver Broncos, who are 9-2. The negative part is that the Colts' remaining schedule is fairly brutal.
Every team left on the schedule would either currently be in the playoffs if the season ended after Week 12 or close to it. The two NFC teams Indy has to play, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, are both likely playoff-bound. That might be the easy part.
Indianapolis Colts' playoff picture is beginning to look less clear
The issue is that of the six games remaining, four are against the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. Both trail Indianapolis in the AFC South currently, but have been gaining ground of late. The Texans have won four of their last five games, and the Jaguars have won three of their last four. Indy has lost two of its last three.
Below is how the AFC playoff picture looks through Week 12 (teams in bold would make the playoffs should the season end before Week 13):
- 1. New England Patriots 10-2
- 2. Denver Broncos 9-2
- 3. Indianapolis Colts 8-3
- 4. Baltimore Ravens 6-5
- 5. Los Angeles Chargers 7-4
- 6. Jacksonville Jaguars 7-4
- 7. Buffalo Bills 7-4
- 8. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-5
- 9. Houston Texans 6-5
- 10. Kansas City Chiefs 6-5
At this point, it isn't the tie-break scenarios that should worry Indianapolis Colts fans, but simply wins and losses. The Colts should beat the Texans and Jaguars at least once each, but the Texans' defense is the kind that could give head coach Shane Steichen's offense fits, especially if he chooses not to use running back Jonathan Taylor much.
In the Colts' Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor ran the ball only seven times in the second half. One of those carries came in the fourth quarter. That can't happen again unless Indianapolis is blowing a team out.
The Jaguars are stranger. Jacksonville seemingly plays nearly every game close (except against the Los Angeles Chargers), no matter how good or bad the opponent is. Indy has also had recent issues winning in Duvall country.
Still, the Indianapolis Colts can make a big statement in Week 13 and defeat the Texans, making any chance of Houston repeating as AFC South champions nearly impossible. Following that with a Week 14 win against the Jaguars would ease the nerves of most Colts fans.