There are some winnable games coming up that could set the Colts up nicely.
Ok. So, here is the bad news.
The Indianapolis Colts currently sit at 5-7 and are on the outside looking in regarding the playoff picture. Here is more bad news. The AFC is loaded, and it will be tough to crack the top seven. With that said, it certainly isn’t impossible. The Colts faced a murderous middle of the season schedule and got beaten up. Now that they have come out the other side, things are looking better. Things look so much better that hopes of the playoffs should still linger the minds of fans.
There is only one team with a winning record left on the schedule in the Denver Broncos. It is a pivotal road game as they are a team above the Colts in the standings. Currently sitting at 7-5, the Broncos are no slouch, but it is definitely a winnable contest. The Colts will have to take care of business on Sunday first against the Patriots who are currently 3-9. Not saying the Colts are going to steamroll them, but they certainly have a good chance leaving Foxboro sitting at 6-7. If the Broncos lose this Sunday, the week 15 matchup will be huge.
The Colts have their bye week between the two aforementioned games, so it could prove critical to get ailing players some much needed rest. If they survive the Broncos, the schedule is looking nice. You have to feel good about your chances with a road game at the 2-9 New York Giants coupled with home contests against the 3-8 Tennessee Titans and 2-9 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Another aspect to consider is the Houston Texans’ schedule going forward. The also play the Jaguars and Titans, but they are road games. Add in a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs and home contests against the Baltimore Ravens and the surging Miami Dolphins and things don’t look easy. Because of that, the Colts have an outside chance of winning the division. The Texans are at 7-5 currently, but they also hold the division tie-breaker. That makes things more difficult but not impossible.
We have seen this script before. The Colts dig themselves into a deep hole and have to scratch and claw their way back into postseason contention. It leaves them with zero margin of error going forward. The Wild Card is still their best path, but they can’t afford to lose too many more games; maybe one at the most. That is tough to do, but given the upcoming schedule, it is completely possible.
