The Colts’ playoff hopes remain with the Broncos’ loss in Week 17

The door to the playoffs was closed for the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday when the LA Chargers defeated New England. However, another point remains – hardly – open, because the Denver Broncos lose against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the playoff scenario involving the Broncos, in Week 17 the Colts had to win their last two games, the Broncos had to lose their last two games, and either the Bengals or the Miami Dolphins had to win their last two games.

Well, two of those criteria were met: Denver lost and Cincinnati won.

If things ended this way, there would be a 9-8 three-way tie for the AFC’s final playoff spot. So instead of the Broncos having the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Colts, the new tiebreaker, when three teams are involved, is the conference record the Colts would hold, giving them the final playoff seeding in the AFC would do.

Of course, before we turn our attention to Week 18, the Colts have to mind their own business on Sunday and beat the New York Giants without Anthony Richardson, who was ruled out for that game. So Joe Flacco will start in a game where we should see a heavy dose of Jonathan Taylor.

But if the Colts win, it creates a scenario in Week 18 where Indianapolis has to beat Jacksonville, the Broncos have to lose to the Chiefs and the Bengals have to win in Pittsburgh.

However, it’s worth noting that after securing the No. 1 seed on Christmas Day, the Chiefs have nothing to play in Week 18, so they may not play the entire game against the Chiefs – or Broncos at all.

As mentioned, the Colts only need the Bengals or Dolphins to finish 9-8 – neither is a requirement – but if you want a buffer in Week 18, then Miami – who will likely be without Tua Tagovailoa this week would be a win over the Browns and a win over the Jets in Week 18 will also benefit Indianapolis.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts’ playoff hopes remain despite Broncos’ Week 17 loss