The Indianapolis Colts have been sliding for the majority of the second half of the season, and it has led to them looking toward the offseason rather than fighting for a playoff spot.
Having lost five of their last six games, the Colts went from a potential division-winner to out of the playoffs and competing for a top-15 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Entering Week 15, the Colts dropped two more spots in Touchdown Wire’s power rankings down to No. 18.
18. Indianapolis Colts
(6-7. Last week: 16)
It was a day of high frustration for the Colts, who picked off Jameis Winston three times (including a pick-six), but also allowed a season-high 542 total yards and 17 unanswered points in what became a 38-35 loss that pushed Indianapolis further out of the playoff race. Winston will make more than his share of mistakes, but he’s also capable of explosive plays — which Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett hasn’t been this season. Brissett did hit Marcus Johnson for a 46-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and he completed two of his four attempts of 20 or more air yards for 96 yards and a touchdown in the game, but the combination of a defense that couldn’t stop the Buccaneers’ over-the-top passing game and an offense that made its own share of mistakes put another damper on a season that once looked promising. Losing five times in six games will tend to do that.
The Colts are currently the No. 10 seed in the AFC playoff race. A loss against the New Orleans Saints this week will officially knock them out of the postseason and would have them focusing solely on the offseason.
It has been a whirlwind of a season, and the Colts have been all but forced to focus on development of young players and the upcoming offseason.