The Indianapolis Colts entered Week 17 with two potential–albeit unlikely–paths to the playoffs. However, following the LA Chargers Week 17 win over New England, one of those avenues is now closed.
One of the scenarios that could have gotten the Colts to the postseason included them winning their final two games and the Chargers losing their final two games. But with the Chargers victory on Saturday against the Patriots, Los Angeles has now locked up a playoff spot.
The Chargers jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and then pulled away from New England in quarters two and three, outscoring the Patriots 23-7 during that stretch before ultimately winning the game 40-7.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ passing game was nearly unstoppable as he completed 26-of-38 passes for 281 yards with three touchdowns. In total, the Chargers generated 428 yards of offense.
The Patriots’ offense, meanwhile, couldn’t even muster 200 total yards.
The Colts’ remaining path to the playoffs includes them finishing the season 2-0 and needing the Denver Broncos to lose their final two games. In addition to those two outcomes, Indianapolis also needs either Cincinnati or Miami to win out as well.
This would then create a three-way tie for the AFC’s final playoff spot, a tie-breaker that the Colts would win with the better conference record.
With the Broncos playing on Saturday afternoon, it’s possible that the Colts are eliminated from playoff contention before even stepping on the field on Sunday.
