Predicting Results of Final 7 Games of Colts 2023 Season

The Indianapolis Colts sit at 5-5 coming out of their bye week and have a soft schedule remaining in the 2023 regular season.

The Indianapolis Colts have had a roller-coaster year in many regards. However, despite this, new head coach Shane Steichen is sitting at 5-5 without Anthony Richardson for the rest of the season at QB and has a favorable schedule to conclude the year.

Can Indianapolis get enough wins to sneak into the postseason? Let’s take a brief look into their final seven games and predict if they’ll win or lose in their playoff quest.

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6; 2nd in NFC South)

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are unique in that they can play as well as a playoff team in one area but perform as a league bottom-dweller in others.

However, QB Baker Mayfield can shoot out with almost anyone in the league. Now, he has Rashaad White in the backfield and the tandem of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at receiver.

Given how bad the Colts’ secondary has played at times, it could be a big issue dealing with Evans and Godwin. Even if the promising rookie CB JuJu Brents returns, I still believe that one, or both, of those pass-catchers will make an impact.

Also, DT Vita Vea and Tampa’s defense is strong up front and could stop Steichen’s ground game, forcing backup passer Gardner Minshew to win, which hasn’t panned out well for the Colts.

Unfortunately, Indy won’t come out of the bye with a win at home.

Result: Loss (Colts 5-6; 2-2 AFC South)

Week 13: at Tennessee Titans (3-7; 4th in AFC South)

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The Tennessee Titans and head coach Mike Vrabel have essentially dominated Indy the last few seasons post-Andrew Luck. But the tides are turning, as the Titans are now rolling with rookie QB Will Levis over veteran Ryan Tannehill.

However, the Titans haven’t been able to find a rhythm offensively, even with bell-cow running back Derrick Henry and star receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the field. Currently, they’re in the bottom half of the league in offensive numbers and are starting to slip defensively.

Now, without safety Kevin Byard, the Titans secondary is exposed to more passing plays. Even though Minshew isn’t Patrick Mahomes, he should still be able to get his second win against the Titans this season.

Result: Win (Colts 6-6; 3-2 AFC South)

Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals (5-5; 4th in AFC North)

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Originally, when the Cincinnati Bengals were on the schedule for the Colts, it was almost unanimously agreed that the Bengals would get the win. Now, with franchise QB Joe Burrow out for the rest of the year with a wrist injury, backup signal-caller Jake Browning will take the reigns.

While the Bengals offense still has RB Joe Mixon and WR Ja’Marr Chase, it’s nowhere near as intimidating without Burrow operating it. On the defensive side, Cincy isn’t fairing well at all, ranking in the bottom half in key statistical categories.

This one goes to the Colts for the lack of QB prowess and defense the Bengals have.

Result: Win (Colts 7-6; 3-2 AFC South)

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Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4; 3rd in AFC North)

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Since 2011, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 8-0 against the Colts. The Steelers also have the kryptonite to Indy, Mike Tomlin.

Yes, it’s fair that Pittsburgh’s offense has been pretty rough. QB Kenny Pickett is not producing well with WRs Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Also, the backfield is essentially up for grabs between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Where Steichen will hit a wall is the ground game and through pass-rushing. Defensive end T.J. Watt and tackle Cameron Heyward are huge issues for any offensive line. Given Minshew’s struggles with any sense of pressure, this will give the Steelers a few chances for turnovers, which also will give them a close win if they capitalize.

Result: Loss (Colts 7-7; 3-2 AFC South)

Week 16: at Atlanta Falcons (4-6; 2nd in NFC South)

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The fact that the Arthur Smith-led Atlanta Falcons are 4-6 and still second in their division shows how weak the NFC South is.

This is an interesting case, as I believe if the Falcons stick with backup QB Taylor Heinicke, they likely have a chance of taking out the Colts’ secondary. However, now that Desmond Ridder is to return under center, it helps Indy’s chances.

Yes, Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier make for an interesting backfield, but pass-catchers like WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, and TE Jonnu Smith aren’t lighting up anyone. Tack on that Ridder arguably plays worse than Heinicke, and it might be a day for Gus Bradley’s defense.

While the Falcons do have a stronger defense, with players like S Jessie Bates III and DE Grady Jarrett, the Colts can handle Atlanta and shouldn’t have issues.

Result: Win (Colts 8-7; 3-2 AFC South)

Week 17: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (5-6; 3rd in AFC West)

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Now that Las Vegas Raiders rookie QB Aidan O’Connell is commanding the offense, it will help the Colts get a win at home, similar to the situation with the aforementioned Falcons.

While initial starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo might be benched, he’s a deadlier threat to the Colts’ still porous secondary. Being a game manager and veteran, he could likely have more success than O’Connell, who will need to lean heavily on the ground game with Josh Jacobs.

At this point, the Colts will have back the defensive interior duo of Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner, giving them an edge.

While the Raiders do have superstar Maxx Crosby and a surprisingly efficient defense, it’s usually not enough to win games for the team, given their offensive woes. The Colts defense will carry them to a hard-fought and ugly win in this one.

Result: Win (Colts 9-7; 3-2 AFC South)

Week 18: vs. Houston Texans (6-4; 2nd in AFC South)

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The rise of Houston Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud isn’t something anyone saw coming. While it was believed he would be solid out of the gate, what he’s done through 10 games is extraordinary.

Sitting at 17 TDs to 5 Ints, Stroud, with pass-catchers Tank Dell and Nico Collins, has pushed the Texans to new heights offensively. This is while having rotations at RB between Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary and a mediocre-to-average offensive line.

Tack on that DeMeco Ryans has this Texans defense playing solid football, and it warrants a different outcome than Week 2. It’s also worth noting that Richardson was torching Houston before Minshew relieved him. With Minshew playing from start to finish, I see Ryans having a game plan for him this time around that will work.

This will ultimately lead to the Colts narrowly missing the playoffs and a potential seventh seed.

Result: Loss (Colts 9-8; 3-3 AFC South)

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