The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the more surprising teams in the AFC so far this season. After starting the season slow and seeing starting rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson go down with a season-ending shoulder injury, many had already written the team off. However, heading into Week 14 action, the Colts are 7-5 and are currently in the playoff picture.
Gardner Minshew has stepped into the starting quarterback role admirably. There have been some issues, but he has found ways to win games. That’s all you can ask for from a backup quarterback forced into action due to injury.
Indianapolis has won some very close games this season, including last week’s overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They haven’t won games in pretty fashion, but wins are wins nonetheless.
Colts’ Chances To Make The Playoffs, Revealed
According to an NFL analyst from The Athletic, the Colts have a rising chance to get into the playoffs. He revealed the percentage chance of just that happening.
The #Colts have a 66.5 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to @amock419 playoff model.
I ranked the five remaining QBs that stand in between Indy and the postseason, including #Bengals backup and former California HS phenom Jake Browning. https://t.co/Pvx8sEMDST
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) December 8, 2023
Looking ahead at the upcoming schedule for Indianapolis, things don’t look bleak at all. They have a tough game against the Cincinnati Bengals this week, with backup quarterback Jake Browning coming off of a massive Week 13 performance. After this week’s game, the Colts will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, the Atlanta Falcons on the road, the Las Vegas Raiders at home, and the Houston Texans at home.
Needless to say, that schedule looks very favorable for the Colts’ playoff hopes. It’s possibly that their final regular season game against the Texans could decide which team gets into the playoffs.
Jonathan Taylor has been missing more time the last two weeks due to a thumb injury. He will miss this week’s game against the Bengals as well. Hopefully, he’ll be back for the Colts’ game against the Steelers.
Things are looking bright in Indianapolis. Will they be able to beat the elite teams in the AFC come playoff time assuming they get in? That remains to be seen, but they’re not a team that anyone should count out.
Make sure to tune in this week to see the Colts take on the Bengals. You can watch the game at 1:00 p.m. EST on CBS.