Week 15: Colts Look to Spoil Surging New England Playoff Hopes, Clinch AFC Bye

pThe Indianapolis Colts players were finally able to take some time to rest this week with a late Week 14 Bye as they celebrated an AFC South Division Title. Now its time to get ready for the final quarter of the season. With 4 games still remaining, the Colts (13-0) can wrap up the number one seed in the AFC with a win over the New England Patriots, while also potentially spoiling a late playoff run.

Since Week 8, the Patriots are 5-1 after new leadership and coaching took over the roster, putting them at 6-7 and only 2 games out of a wildcard spot. Marked as PML’s “Game of the Week” the Colts-Patriots matchup is one that will be a lot closer than many thought earlier in the season. For the Colts, the internal debate will be how much the starters play the remaining 4 games of the year. However, without question, New England is not a team the AFC wants to see in the playoffs. They present a much more difficult challenge than their record says and many believe they can be a very hard low seed to beat. This puts the Colts in a very interesting position.
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pIf you’re Indy, do you potentially limit playing time for key starters such as Jonathan Taylor or Darius Leonard? Do you try out new schemes while maintaining your identity? These are all going to be answered Sunday once kick-off begins. It would be great to know by weekends end that you’ve wrapped up a top seed and a bye, but speaking with the Colts they are in no rush to clinch anything. Up 4 games on the second seed, if Indy was to fall to New England and receive their first loss on the season, one could argue the real loss is letting the Patriots’ playoff hopes stay alive for a potential rematch later in the season.


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