NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: 49ers win thriller over Saints, Chiefs stake claim
By Dan Parzych
19. Indianapolis Colts (14)
About a month ago, the Indianapolis Colts were considered one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC, and appeared to be on their way to earning a playoff spot, whether it was through winning the division or simply a Wild Card spot.
But after the Colts came up short on Sunday for the third week in a row by losing another tough one to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis could in serious trouble.
It was one thing for the Colts to come up short in back-to-back weeks against the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, but losing on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-35 basically sums up how the last few weeks have been for Indianapolis.
Talent wise, there’s no question the Colts seemed to be the much better team entering Sunday, and Indianapolis could see their playoff fate decided sooner rather than later when seeing how the rest of the AFC playoff picture is shaping out.
If January arrives, and Indianapolis is, in fact, watching the playoffs from home, Sunday’s loss will easily be one of those games in which the Colts look back on realizing they let one slip away, especially since Jameis Winston finished the game with three interceptions.