Win and they’re in.
The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) will enter the AFC playoffs if they defeat the Houston Texans (9-7) during the Week 18 regular-season finale.
Furthermore, if the Colts win and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose against the Tennessee Titans in Week 18, the Colts would win the division for the first time since 2014.
The Colts cannot make the playoffs if they lose in Week 18 because the first two wild-card spots have already been locked up by the Cleveland Browns (No. 5) and Buffalo Bills (No. 6).
The Colts could take over the No. 6 seed if they win, the Jaguars win and the Bills lose to the Miami Dolphins. They would pass the Bills in the standings because of their superior conference record.
None of the time slots for the Week 18 games have been announced yet, but there is a chance the Colts will play Saturday, Jan. 6, in either the 4:30 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. ET slot.
This has been a wild season and one that has endured plenty of storylines both on and off the field, but the Colts have a chance to make the playoffs in the first season under head coach Shane Steichen, which would be an impressive feat.
