AFC Playoff Picture: Where Indianapolis Colts stand entering Week 14 | Sporting News

Thanks to their one-point win against the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins’ 30-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts reclaimed the eighth seed in the AFC in Week 13.

The Horseshoe heads into its bye week in Week 14 hoping to nurse all wounds before a closing four-game stretch that is essential to whether or not Indianapolis sneaks into the playoffs or not. 

As of publication, the Colts have a 27% chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The second-easiest strength of schedule in their four games remaining certainly helps.

AFC Playoff Picture

AFC Playoffs

1. Clinched: Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) 

2. Clinched: Buffalo Bills (10-2)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

4. Houston Texans (8-5)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

7. Denver Broncos (8-5)

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

9. Miami Dolphins (5-7)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

The only problem is that the seventh-seed Denver Broncos sit two full games ahead of Indianapolis in the standings while the Dolphins are just one game behind. Not only that, but the Broncos also have a Week 14 bye after winning their last three games ahead of their clash at home against the Colts in Week 15. 

The Colts’ next contest is a must-win, but it’s also easily their most difficult foe remaining. Indianapolis needs to at least win three of its final four contests, which seems to be an achievable feat when looking ahead at the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and New York Giants.

As for the Broncos, their final three games come against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the Bengals holding a 2% chance at making the playoffs, they average 28 points per game with just a -5 point differential on the year. 

When Denver faced its division rival Chargers and Chiefs earlier this season, the Broncos lost both games. The Colts lost to the Jaguars in Week 5 but bounced back to defeat the Titans in Week 6. 

Looking to Miami, the Dolphins have the fourth-easiest remaining strength of schedule with five games remaining. All but the Houston Texans will head into their contest against Miami with a losing record. 

MORE NFL: Colts’ updated wild-card chances