Playoffs...Are Indy Out Of It ?

[Lloyd_Christmas]

A little bit of a thread title rip-off, but the question is somewhat valid.

The Colts are 7-2 and are in the most competitive division in the AFC. They have Jac and Ten breathing down their necks (both at 6-3). With the injuries mounting for the Colts, it is not far-fetched to think they might actually miss the playoffs.

If both Ten and Jac continue to play well, and the Colts drop 2 more games (a possibility)... that puts both of them passed the Colts and puts the Colts in a position of fighting for the last wild card slot against the Bills? and the Browns? (both at 5-4 now)

Ok, so it is a bit of a reach perhaps, but definitely do-able. The Colts could miss the playoffs. Who'd have thunk it just 2 weeks ago?

 

[BrianPat]

When I first saw the thread title I thought it was crazy. But after I finished reading your thoughts, and looking at their schedule, I completely agree, it could happen. WOW

 

[bradmahn]

When you factor in that they have games against Jax and Tenn it makes it even more plausible. Still far-fetched, but plausible.

Semi-OT: The Tennessee loss yesterday was a short term disappointment, but in the long-run it may prove best for Colts detractors.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

When you factor in that they have games against Jax and Tenn it makes it even more plausible. Still far-fetched, but plausible.

Semi-OT: The Tennessee loss yesterday was a short term disappointment, but in the long-run it may prove best for Colts detractors.

The Pats inflicted some pain on the Dolts and it showed up vs the Bolts. Indy is toast.

One and done Dungheap

 

[scout]

The Colts could be in serious trouble due to injuries. If in fact they lose two of their offensive linemen they will have trouble with the Titans and Jags, not to mention some physical games in between. Even as a wildcard team, it would be a tough road for them, snicker.

 

[Amnorix]

Chiefs this week at home and at Atlanta Falcons the week after (short week as it's a Thursday game), then 10 days to recover before a tough Jags game.

Followed by the offensive challenged but physically tough Ravens, the Raiders and Texans, before closing out the year at home against the Tits.

Yeah, you're all dreaming. 12-4 or something, at worst...

 

[sieglo]

They will still make the playoffs.

Even with all their injury problems, a 6 INT game by Manning, and a pathetic special teams performance, they still were within an unlikely Adam Vinatieri shank of beating the Chargers yesterday -- at Qualcomm.

No way Indy doesn't make the playoffs. Let's be realistic here.

 

[Oswlek]

No way. TN and Jax both suck offensively. Neither team is in Indy's class.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Doesn't Jax have a bunch of injuries + their best DL busted for steroids? And TN has *no* receiver threat, you saw it against a vulnerable Jax pass D yesterday.

The Colts should nonetheless lock up the #2 seed, there's TOO much football left.

 

[LoveDemPats]

If freeney is out for a bit, look for some serious game planning. Turner is incapable to capitalize, but other teams will take the reigns.

 

[Patstopia]

They will still make the playoffs.

Even with all their injury problems, a 6 INT game by Manning, and a pathetic special teams performance, they still were within an unlikely Adam Vinatieri shank of beating the Chargers yesterday -- at Qualcomm.

No way Indy doesn't make the playoffs. Let's be realistic here.

I agree with this with one exception. The Bolts absolutely stunk last night! They are 'legends in there own mind', still living off what they were last year. If the Colts had Harrison they would have won by at least 14, just from the 2 misses deep.

 

[old 55]

Indy with injuries and all is still better than all of the teams on their schedule. I don't see this playing out without an injury to Peyton.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

When you factor in that they have games against Jax and Tenn it makes it even more plausible. Still far-fetched, but plausible.

Let's take a look at the remaining schedules that are relevant:

Indy (7-2):
@Atl (3-6)
Jac (6-3)
KC (4-5)
@Bal (4-5)
@Oak (2-7)
Hou (4-5)
Ten (6-3)

(I could see them losing 2-3 games)
Indy could finish 12-4 or 11-5.

Jac (6-3):
Buf (5-4)
@Ind (7-2)
CAR (4-5)
@Pit (7-2)
Oak (2-7)
@Hou (4-5)

(Assuming they beat Indy, Pit and Buf are the only other good teams)
Jac could finish 12-4 if they beat Indy and Buf, but lose to Pit

Ten (6-3):
@Cin (3-6)
Hou (4-5)
SD (5-4)
@KC (4-5)
NYJ (1-8)
@Ind (7-2)

(Assuming they beat Indy, SD is the only other good team)
Ten could finish 13-3 if they win out... Indy and SD are the only big threats

Cle:
Hou (4-5)
@Ari (4-5)
@NYJ (1-8)
Buf (5-4)
@Cin (3-6)
SF (2-6)

(Buf is the only remaining good team)
I could see Cle winning all remaining games to go 12-4. At the very least, 11-5 seems acheivable.

Buf (5-4):
@Jac (6-3)
@Was (5-4)
Mia (0-9)
@CLE (5-4)
NYG (6-3)
@Phi (4-5)

(They will probably lose at least 1 more game and maybe 3)
I think Buf will not make it, losing to Jac, NYG, and possibly Cle and Was
They will probably finish 9-7 or 8-8

***

So, in short, if Indy goes 11-5 or worse, their is a reasonable chance they miss the playoffs and I think 11-5 is where Indy will end up if they can't get by their injury problems.

 

[PatsWin]

I agree, chargers stink.

 

[JJDChE]

This scenario would be a lot more plausible if Jacksonville and Tennessee were actually good.

 

[letekro]

No way. TN and Jax both suck offensively. Neither team is in Indy's class.

And those games are in Indy. Indy is a far different team at home. No chance they don't win the division. If they can get healthy for the playoffs, they're still our biggest challenge.

 

[stinkypete]

This thread is rediculous. Did anyone look at Indy's schedule? KC, Altanta, Oakland, Baltimore, home games against all 3 division opponents. Do you seriously think that the Colts will lose more than 2 of those games? All the injured guys are week-to-week, they're not on IR.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

All I'm trying to say is that it is possible for Indy to miss the playoffs... It may not be a great chance that it happens, but it is not as unbelievable as some of you think.

A lot depends on their injury situation. It seems to be getting worse each week. If they can lose to the overtly lousy SD team coached by that clown Norv Turner, then they can certainly lose to Jac, Ten, and maybe Bal. H.e.l.l, even the crappy Falcons have a shot this coming week with half the Indy team in bandages.

Anyone who thinks that the idea is ridiculous, assumes that Indy's situation gets better. What if it doesn't. What if it stays the same as the SD game? What if it gets worse?

Considering that they were the 2nd best team in the NFL before this week, it's pretty interesting to wonder how far their injury situation could sink them.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

This scenario would be a lot more plausible if Jacksonville and Tennessee were actually good.

Is SD good? What if Indy looses to the Falcons this week? They have a lot of players down. Would it be more plausible then?

If Indy can lose to SD, they can lose to Ten or Jac.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Jacksonville with Quinn Gray at 12-4?
Tennessee with a loss to Gray yesterday at 12-4?

This thred is downright beyond stupid

The Colts will make the playoffs and win the division again so forget your fantasy crap,Tennessee had thier chance to make the division race extremely tight yesterday and blew it,there goes their chances.