Week 14 matchups that impact the Colts playoff hopes

The Indianapolis Colts are less than a year removed from their disastrous 4-12-1 season, yet they find themselves in a completely different situation this season. They enter Week 14 7-5 and are currently inside the AFC Playoff Picture as they are currently the 6th seed following the Pittsburgh Steelers loss on Thursday Night Football.  And […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Dec 3, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) celebrates with teammates after throwing the game-winning touchdown to beat the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
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The Indianapolis Colts are less than a year removed from their disastrous 4-12-1 season, yet they find themselves in a completely different situation this season.

They enter Week 14 7-5 and are currently inside the AFC Playoff Picture as they are currently the 6th seed following the Pittsburgh Steelers loss on Thursday Night Football. 

And while that game fell in their favor, there are multiple more to pay attention to this week. 

Current AFC Playoff Picture:

  1. Miami Dolphins (9-3)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3) 
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) 
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) 
  5. Cleveland Browns (7-5)
  6. Indianapolis Colts (7-5)
  7. Houston Texans (7-5) 

Week 14 games that impact the Colts: 

  • Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) @ Cleveland Browns (7-5)
  • Houston Texans (7-5) @ New York Jets (4-8)
  • Denver Broncos (6-6) @ Los Angeles Chargers (5-7)
  • Buffalo Bills (6-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

Above are all the teams that are one game, either up or down from the Colts in the AFC South standings. On top of picking up their own win against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6), these are the outcomes that directly affect the Colts. 

Jaguars @ Browns 

This game is a little tricky as both teams losing help the Colts in different ways. If the Browns can beat the Jaguars, it would give the Colts a better chance at winning the AFC South this season. But a Jaguars win would put the Colts in the driver's seat for the top wildcard spot in the AFC as the 5th seed. 

Texans @ Jets

The Colts will be rooting for an upset in this one, as they want the Jets to win over the Texans. The Texans have the same record as the Colts and sit one seed behind them in the AFC Playoff Picture. A Jets win would put the Colts in a better spot in both their division and the wildcard race. 

Broncos @ Chargers

The Broncos currently sit at 6-6, and while their losing this week wouldn't immediately affect the Colts, they want to distance themselves from teams in the hunt. A Broncos loss to the 5-7 Chargers paired with a Colts win would give the Colts a two-game lead over both. 

Bills @ Chiefs

Some fans may have a hard time rooting for the Chiefs after their dominance in years past, but like the Broncos above, a Bills loss here is best for the Colts. While the Bills are currently 6-6, they have the talent to go on a late-season run to push their way into the AFC Playoff Picture. Them losing to the Chiefs in Week 14 gives the Colts extra cushion on their positioning in the AFC wildcard race.

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