It is a long and winding road for the Indianapolis Colts to make the playoffs. They are currently in the thick of the playoff hunt for the AFC and will compete with several teams for one of the final spots.
With so many teams in the hunt with records similar to the Colts (6-5), a lot will happen over the next few weeks to determine who gets in the AFC. The Colts have a vital stretch of games coming up that will very well be the deciding factor in the fate of their season.
Bleacher Report predicts the Colts will sneak in with the return of wide receiver T.Y. Hilton:
Remaining Schedule: vs. TEN, at TB, at NO, vs. CAR, at JAX
AFC Playoff Rank: 7
Despite their loss to the Texans, the Colts are in good shape for a run at the postseason. Assuming T.Y. Hilton continues to suit up, Indianapolis has decent matchups in the next two weeks against the Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who field the 22nd- and 31st-ranked pass defenses, respectively. Head coach Frank Reich could balance the offense and take some pressure off the ground attack that’s missing Marlon Mack.
With that said, Mack’s absence with a fractured hand will take some air out of an offense that ranks third in rush attempts. Yet Jonathan Williams has shown he can carry the load, logging 39 carries for 220 yards and a touchdown over the last two outings.
Fortunately for the Colts, Mack’s injury isn’t season-ending, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Secondly, Indianapolis fields a stout offensive line that ranks 11th in run-blocking adjusted line yards (4.42) and pass protection, per Football Outsiders. Don’t expect the coaching staff to abandon the ground attack.
If Mack can return by Week 16, he’s primed to cut through the Carolina Panthers and Jaguars (again) on the ground. Those clubs rank 27th and 29th in run defense, respectively.
In Week 13, the Colts will host the Titans. If they win that game, this club could potentially go 4-1 in the last five contests.
Hilton’s health (he’s dealing with a nagging calf ailment) will be the X-factor in this team’s push for the playoffs. He took the field Thursday on a limited snap count and had two uncharacteristic drops. Indianapolis will need him to play well through injury down the stretch. The four-time Pro Bowler gets the benefit of the doubt.
Verdict: In
The Colts have a crucial home matchup against the Titans in Week 13 before heading on the road to take on two NFC South teams in the Buccaneers and the Saints—the latter of which comes on Monday Night Football.
It will be an interesting development to see how the Colts perform down the stretch, but there is still hope they can make it if the offense takes some steps forward.