NFL Week 16 game results needed to keep the Indianapolis Colts slim playoff chances alive
The Indianapolis Colts Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos put their playoff hopes on life support.They are still holding on to a slim chance to punch their ticket to the AFC playoffs, but they no longer control their own destiny. They now need some help from a couple of teams ahead of them in […]
The Indianapolis Colts Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos put their playoff hopes on life support.
They are still holding on to a slim chance to punch their ticket to the AFC playoffs, but they no longer control their own destiny. They now need some help from a couple of teams ahead of them in the rankings and potentially even below. So here is every Week 16 game that the Colts have a preference on who pulls out the win.
Who to root for in Week 16 to keep the Colts' AFC playoff chances alive
The Colts currently have two paths to the playoffs left. The first seems very unlikely because it requires either the Los Angeles Chargers to lose their final two games or the Baltimore Ravens to lose their final three. The Chargers have to play the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, and the Ravens have to play the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Cleveland Browns. The second option requires multiple teams to help but still feels significantly more realistic.
On top of winning their final three games, the Colts need to be one of at least three teams to finish with a 9-8 record, with at least one of them currently holding an AFC Wildcard spot: Chargers, Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens. This would create a situation where the main tiebreaker would be conference record, and the Colts would own a 7-5 record against AFC opponents, which would be the highest of any team in the AFC that can finish with a 9-8 record. The other teams to watch are the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins. But before we get ahead of ourselves, here are the Week 16 outcomes the Colts are rooting for to boost their chances of earning a playoff spot.
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
This one doesn't need much explanation. The Colts need to win their final three games, starting with their Week 16 matchup with their AFC South rivals, the Tennessee Titans. But with the Titans already eliminated from the playoffs, you would assume the Colts are far more motivated to pull out this win.
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
As you read above, the Bengals are one of the teams currently below the Colts in the AFC standings to keep your eye on. If they win their final three games, they will also hold a 9-8 record but will only have a 6-6 conference record. So the Colts want the Bengals to defeat the Browns in Week 16.
San Francisco 49ers @ Miami Dolphins
Like the Bengals, the Dolphins would finish the year 9-8 if they win out. They would have the same conference record as the Colts, 7-5, but the Colts would own the tiebreaker between the two teams due to winning their Week 7 head-to-head matchup. Therefore, the Colts are rooting for the Dolphins to beat the 49ers.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens currently own the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs with a 9-5 record. This week, they host their biggest rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who they've already lost to once this year. If the Ravens lose out, they would only have a 5-7 conference record, which would allow the Colts to jump them and join the AFC playoff picture. So, to keep that slim possibility alive, the Colts are big fans of the Steelers this week.
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
This outcome doesn't have as much of a direct effect on the Colts, but I think it's still important. The Chiefs currently hold a 13-1 record and hold the top spot in the AFC. If they lose two of their last three, though, they could be in a spot to be tied with the Buffalo Bills at the end of the regular season, which would bump them down to the two seed and lose them the coveted opening round bye. With the Broncos set to play the Chiefs in Week 18, the Colts need Kansas City to have something to play for, so they don't consider resting starters. So, while it may hurt some Colts fans to do so, they should be rooting for the Texans to get the win.
The Colts are getting an unexpected surprise as they prepare for the final three games of their season
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a devastating loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 15, and morale around the team seems to have reached its lowest point of the season. So, the team and the fanbase could use any good news right about now. This is why the news of second-year cornerback Juju Brents being designated to […]
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans Week 16 broadcast map: Will you be able to watch on TV?
The Indianapolis Colts suffered a devasting loss in Week 15 to the Denver Broncos, which put their playoff chances on life support. Now, in addition to needing help from either the Baltimore Ravens or the Los Angeles Chargers, the Colts must win their final three games to have a chance at a spot in the AFC […]
