The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) defeated the Patriots (3-10) in a dramatic roller-coaster win on Sunday, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Heading into Week 14, ESPN projects that the Colts have a 25% chance of making the postseason. The odds aren’t exactly in Indianapolis’ favor, but the Colts have a legitimate chance to earn their first playoff berth since 2020.
Despite key injuries, inconsistent play, and major issues on both offense and defense, the Colts are only 1 game below .500. They also have the second-easiest late-season schedule in the league. Indianapolis’ final 4 opponents — the Broncos (7-5), Titans (3-9), Giants (2-10), and Jaguars (2-10) — have a combined win percentage of just 41%. Only one of those teams has a winning record, while the other 3 have a total of 7 wins and 29 losses between them.
The Colts can’t afford to take any opponent for granted, but running the table is a possibility and, realistically, the only way Indianapolis has a shot at the playoffs. If the Colts can finish the regular season with a 10-7 record, they may be able to either steal the division or the 7th seed in the AFC.
The AFC South title is still up for grabs
The AFC South race looks settled on paper. With only four games left in the season, the Texans (8-5) are essentially three games ahead of the Colts, as Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, Indianapolis’ favorable schedule, combined with the much more daunting gauntlet facing Houston, could make things very interesting. If the Colts win their remaining four games and the Texans lose three of their last four, Indianapolis will clinch the AFC South title and automatically qualify for the postseason. That scenario may seem highly unlikely — until you take a closer look.
After their Week 14 bye, Houston will play Miami (5-7), Kansas City (11-1), and Baltimore (8-5) before ending the season in Tennessee. All four games will pose a tough challenge. The Dolphins have been impressive since Tua Tagavailoa’s return, the Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Ravens are led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, and the Titans literally just beat the Texans in Houston. Indianapolis hasn’t cliched the AFC South in 10 years but, with a little luck, the Colts could make a late push for the title.
