Do the Colts have anything to play for next week since they just clinched the #5 seed?
If I am looking at it right, they can at least guarantee they won't have to play either the Patriots or Houston in the wild card by winning and knocking Houston to 3rd seed. They would play either Baltimore or Bengals as long as we win our last game. And the the NFL will have their Manning vs Luck divisional round match up, which is what I predict they really want.
So the Colts still have something to play for, right?
I hadn't thought of it from that angle, but yes - even though the Colts are locked into the #5 seed, they can have an impact on determining who they play. With a loss Houston could become the #2 or even #3 seed.
The Bengals are in a similar situation: they're locked into the #6 spot and playing at Baltimore, but could determine whether the Ravens are the #3 or #4 seed.
12-3 Houston Texans - at Colts
Can be the #1, #2, or #3 seed
#1 seed with a win
#1 seed if both the Broncos and the Pats lose
#2 seed with loss, plus Broncos lose
#2 seed with loss, plus Pats lose
#3 seed with loss, plus both Broncos and Pats win
12-3 Denver Broncos - home vs Chiefs
Can be the #1, #2, or #3 seed
#1 seed with a win, plus Texans lose
#2 seed with a win, and Texans win
#2 seed with a loss, and Pats lose
#3 seed with a loss, and Pats win
11-4 New England Patriots - home vs Dolphins
Can be the #1, #2, #3, or #4 seed
#1 seed with a win, plus both the Texans and Broncos lose
#2 seed with a win, Texans loss, and Broncos win
#2 seed with a win, Texans win, and Broncos loss
#3 seed with a win, plus both the Texans and Broncos lose
#4 seed with a loss, plus Ravens win
10-5 Baltimore Ravens - at Bengals
Can be either the #3 or #4 seed
#3 seed with a win, plus Pats loss
#4 seed with a loss
#4 seed with a Pats win
10-5 Indianapolis Colts - home vs Texans
Can only be the #5 seed
9-6 Cincinnati Bengals - home vs Ravens
Can only be the #6 seed
