Colts absolutely have to cash in on the prime opportunity in front of them because it may never happen again

The perfect formula for a Colts Super Bowl is starting to reveal itself, but can they capitalize on the opportunity.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Colts QB Daniel Jones
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 8-2 Indianapolis Colts are far from being out of the woods in their search for a playoff spot. 

The race for the top seed in the AFC and even the AFC South crown is wide open for the taking. On the bright side, the Colts control their own destiny; all they have to do is do what they did so well in the first ten weeks – win. Considering the potential playoff field, it becomes even more crucial for the Colts to capitalize on the significant opportunity in front of them.

Current AFC Playoff Picture

  1. Denver Broncos (9-2)
  2. New England Patriots (9-2)
  3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
  6. Buffalo Bills (7-4)
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)

If the playoffs began today, multiple top QBs in the conference and league would be at home watching. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, and Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are all below the seventh seed in the AFC at this time. 

AFC playoff field could be without some notable headliners

No AFC QB other than Mahomes or Burrow has won the conference since 2019, when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl. Therefore, the rest of the conference has a significant opportunity ahead of them. For the Colts, a win this week would not only improve their playoff odds but also reduce the Chiefs’ chances of re-entering the playoff discussion. 

Many will ask: “Can Daniel Jones really take the Colts to a Super Bowl?” It’s a fair question, but I think it becomes a lot more realistic when there isn’t a playoff field full of elite signal callers in the league. If Jones and the Colts had to go through Mahomes, Jackson, and Burrow, the chances would seem slim. Instead, the current field has Josh Allen, a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, Bo Nix, Justin Herbert, and Drake Maye. 

Still a lot of talent there, but outside of Josh Allen, I don’t think any of those QBs at this stage of their career should put fear in a team’s heart of facing them in the playoffs. Rodgers and Nix have had up-and-down seasons, and the Chargers are dealing with numerous injuries. Maye is an MVP candidate, but it would be his first-ever playoff game. There’s a real opportunity for the Colts to win the AFC. The question now is whether they will capitalize on it. 

Related Articles