Yes, believe it or not, the Indianapolis Colts are still in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Following two straight losses, the Colts are 4-5 on the year and are currently the eighth seed in the AFC. They are one game back of the 5-4 Denver Broncos for the final playoff spot and a game and a half behind the Los Angeles Chargers for the sixth seed.
Tied with Indianapolis at 4-5 are the Cincinnati Bengals, followed by the New York Jets at 3-6.
Up next on the schedule for the Colts is an at home matchup with the Buffalo Bills, who are 7-2 and the current No. 2 seed in the AFC.
According to NFL.com analytics, the Colts’ current playoff odds are at 31 percent. A loss to the Bills and it drops to 22 percent, but with a win it jumps to 43 percent.
A week ago, the Colts made the switch from Anthony Richardson to Joe Flacco, in large part because they are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture and they believe Flacco gives them the best chance to win.
With eight games left in the season, that could certainly prove to be true, but it was a rough showing for the offense this past Sunday in Minnesota, after they put together their worst performance of the season. Getting back on track will begin with Jonathan Taylor and the run game finding some success.
The Colts are currently in the midst of a very difficult part of their schedule. After facing Houston and Minnesota the last two weeks, the now take on Buffalo, and then are up against the Jets followed by Detroit.
