How the Indianapolis Colts Can Make the Playoffs
As of Week 13 in the 2024 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts are 6-7 and two games behind the Texans (8-5) in the AFC South division race. However, they remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, with a chance to claim the third wild-card position in the AFC.
Despite being on the verge of elimination in Week 13, the Colts kept their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 25-24 win, thanks to a fourth-quarter comeback led by Anthony Richardson’s passing and running in the red zone.
Here’s a breakdown of Indianapolis’ playoff chances with five weeks left in the season.
Colts’ Current Playoff Picture
Currently, the Colts sit at No. 8 in the AFC, half a game ahead of the Dolphins and 1.5 games ahead of the Bengals. The Chargers (8-4) and Ravens (8-5) are in strong playoff positions at No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively, leaving the Broncos (7-5) in the critical No. 7 spot. Indianapolis will be rooting for Cleveland to upset Denver on Monday night to narrow the gap. If the Broncos win, moving up to 8-5, the Colts would still have a shot with four games left.
Remaining Schedule
Both the Colts and Broncos have a bye in Week 14, but the final stretch includes several crucial matchups for Indianapolis:
- Week 15: at Broncos (Dec. 15)
- Week 16: vs. Titans (Dec. 22)
- Week 17: at Giants (Dec. 29)
- Week 18: vs. Jaguars (Jan. 5)
The Colts have a key game against the Broncos in Week 15, providing a direct opportunity to impact the wild-card race. If the Broncos lose to Cleveland and drop to 7-6, a Week 15 win would give Indianapolis the head-to-head tiebreaker, making them 7-7 alongside Denver. While winning in Denver will be tough, the Colts would then have a favorable schedule against three weaker teams, with a chance to finish strong.
The Broncos and Colts both face the Chargers and Chiefs, with Denver also having a tricky road game against the Bengals in Week 17.
Playoff Chances for the Colts
Indianapolis still needs some help, but a 3-1 finish (including a win over Denver) or a perfect 4-0 record would give them a legitimate shot at the playoffs, with a likelihood ranging from 60% to 100%. However, if the Colts finish 2-2 or worse—no matter the outcome of the Broncos game—they would have almost no chance of making the playoffs.
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