INDIANAPOLIS – Cling to the dwindling playoff hopes if you must.
Reality provides a harsher picture for the Indianapolis Colts.
On the heels of Denver’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday night, the odds of the Colts earning a playoff spot for the first time since 2020 have fallen to 12%, according to the Athletic’s simulator.
That in mind, what’s left? Well, three more games, starting with Sunday’s meeting with the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
On Friday, coach Shane Steichen addressed the reality facing his team after it essentially snuffed out any serious postseason opportunity with last Sunday’s loss to the Broncos. With all due respects to Denver, the 31-13 decision was a gift that began with Jonathan Taylor’s non-touchdown early in the third quarter.
Everything disintegrated from there. The Broncos outscored Indy 24-0 in the second half.
“I just told them today after practice, like we’ve got to get that taste out of our mouth, bottom line,’’ Steichen said. “We want to win around here. We don’t want to lose anymore.
“We’ve got to get that taste out of our mouth and it starts on Sunday.’’
With a postseason berth hinging on the 9-6 Chargers losing their closing games at 3-11 New England and the 2-12 Las Vegas Raiders and other events, motivation must come elsewhere. Such as:
– A 9-8 record.
A second straight 9-8 finish certainly is obtainable and would have to serve as consolation. The Colts finish with the NFL’s easiest schedule – the 3-11 Titans, at the 2-12 New York Giants, the season finale at home against 3-11 Jacksonville.
A winning record might disguise the very real flaws that contributed to an unsatisfactory season – Anthony Richardson’s progress/non-progress tops the list – and a fourth consecutive non-playoff season. The last time the Colts endured a four-year stretch without reaching the postseason? A seven-year drought from 1988-94.
“You want to finish with a winning record,’’ Steichen said. “I mean, every time you go out, you’re being evaluated. You want to win football games and put on your best effort every single week.’’
– 1,000 yards:
Taylor is bearing down on his third 1,000-yard season. He needs 89 yards to join Edgerrin James (five times), Marshall Faulk (four), Eric Dickerson (three) and Lydell Mitchell (three) as the only Colts with at least three.
“That’s definitely tough to come by,’’ Taylor said. “You don’t just get 1,000 yards in the National Football League.’’
Taylor has missed three games with an ankle injury but otherwise has been productive behind an offensive line that might have an eighth different starting combination Sunday. The Denver gaffe was a career aberration. His 82.8 yards per game trails only Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley (120.6) and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (105.3). He’s rushed for at least 100 yards five times. Only Barkley (nine), Houston’s Joe Mixon (seven) and Henry (six) have more.
What’s concerning about Taylor and his career 21 100-yard games? A declining impact. The Colts were 12-0 in his first dozen triple-digit games. They’re 2-6-1 in the last nine since ’22, including 1-4 this year.
– QB record(s):
OK, we’re concerned with Richardson’s progress as a passer and overall efficiency. He’s completing 47% of his passes, the worst among 34 QBs who’ve attempted at least 200 passes. Dallas’ Cooper Rush is No. 33. At 59.6%.
In Colts’ history, only two quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts have finished a season completing less than 50% of his passes: Mike Pagel in 1983 (49.7%) and Jack Trudeau in 1986 (48.9%).
On the plus side, Richardson has rushed for 429 yards and is closing in on Pagel’s single-season record for a quarterback (441 in ’83). And that’s with the two-game benching.
He’s already matched Andrew Luck’s single-season mark for rushing TDs by a quarterback (five).
– Top tackler:
Linebacker Zaire Franklin leads the NFL with 144 tackles. He’s in position to join Shaq Leonard (2018), Mike Peterson (2000) and Barry Krauss (1984) as the only Colts to lead the league since 1984.
There’s competition. Arizona safety Budda Baker and Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley each have 142.
Injury update
Wideout Alec Pierce (concussion) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) have been ruled out for Sunday.
Roster update
Veteran center Ryan Kelly (knee) and rookie linebacker Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder) are in line to return. Each remains on the injured reserve list but has been designated to return and has been practicing the past two weeks.
They would have to be added to the active roster, which would require two corresponding moves.
“Both guys should be good to go,’’ Steichen said.
Carlies has been on IR since being injured in the week 7 win over Miami. Kelly has missed the last five games.
If Kelly returns to the starting lineup, the Colts would roll out an eighth different starting combination, including a fifth in the last seven games.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.