AFC Playoff standings, odds, remaining schedules: Colts hold No. 7 seed entering Week 13
With six weeks remaining in the 2023 season, the Colts’ 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers propelled them into the final wild card slot in the AFC.
The Colts will start December not only in the postseason competition but also in the AFC playoffs, assuming the season ends today.
The 6-5 Colts begin Week 13 as the AFC No. 7 seed thanks to their 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as defeats by the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.
Naturally, the season doesn’t finish today. Here’s a look at the entire AFC playoff scenario as November gives way to December with six weeks to go.
AFC Standings (*denotes division leader)
- Baltimore Ravens (9-3)*
- Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)*
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)*
- Miami Dolphins (8-3)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
- Cleveland Browns (7-4)
- Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
- Houston Texans (6-5)
- Denver Broncos (6-5)
- Buffalo Bills (6-6)
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
- Las Vegas Raiders (5-7)
- Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
- Tennessee Titans (4-7)
- New York Jets (4-7)
- New England Patriots (2-9)
The Colts currently hold tiebreakers over the Texans (head to head) and Broncos (conference record). The Colts beat the Texans, 31-20, in Week 2, and their 4-3 AFC record tops Denver’s 3-4 record against conference opponents. Notably, looking further down the standings, the Bills – who have a bye this week – are 3-5 against AFC opposition, which is the first tiebreaker used if teams do not play head-to-head.
The Browns own a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Colts, while the Colts will face the Steelers in Week 15 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts’ 2023 season will end with a home game against the Texans that could carry playoff implications, too.
Remaining Schedules
Colts (6-5):
Week 13: at Titans (4-7)
Week 14: at Bengals (5-6)
Week 15: vs. Steelers (7-4)
Week 16: at Falcons (5-6)
Week 17: vs. Raiders (5-7)
Week 18: vs. Texans (6-5)
Browns (7-4):
Week 13: at Rams (5-6)
Week 14: vs. Jaguars (8-3)
Week 15: vs. Bears (3-8)
Week 16: at Texans (6-5)
Week 17: vs. Jets (4-7)
Week 18: at Bengals (5-6)
Steelers (7-4):
Week 13: vs. Cardinals (2-10)
Week 14: vs. Patriots (2-9)
Week 15: at Colts (6-5)
Week 16: vs. Bengals (5-6)
Week 17: at Seahawks (6-5)
Week 18: at Ravens (9-3)
Texans (6-5):
Week 13: vs. Broncos (6-5)
Week 14: at Jets (4-7)
Week 15: at Titans (4-7)
Week 16: vs. Browns (7-4)
Week 17: vs. Titans (4-7)
Week 18: at Colts (6-5)
Broncos (6-5):
Week 13: at Texans (6-5)
Week 14: at Chargers (4-7)
Week 15: at Lions (8-3)
Week 16: vs. Patriots (2-9)
Week 17: vs. Chargers (4-7)
Week 18: at Raiders (5-7)
Bills (6-6):
Week 13: Bye
Week 14: at Chiefs (8-3)
Week 15: vs. Cowboys (8-3)
Week 16: at Chargers (4-7)
Week 17: vs. Patriots (2-9)
Week 18: at Dolphins (8-3)
Playoff odds
- Steelers (78 percent)
- Browns (66 percent)
- Texans (58 percent)
- Colts (43 percent)
- Broncos (34 percent)
- Bills (15 percent)
- Chargers (5 percent)
- Bengals (3 percent)
- Raiders (1 percent)
In Week 13, the Colts’ chances of making the playoffs rise to 56% with a victory over the Titans and fall to 27% with a loss.
Using the Upshot playoff simulator for play, it appears that Week 13 is too early for binge-watching the Browns and Steelers; the Colts’ chances of making the playoffs only rise by three percentage points.
The outcome of Sunday’s game in Nashville will ultimately determine the Colts’ chances of making the playoffs.
