What do the Colts need to make the playoffs? Indy's Week 15 scenarios explored

After a Week 14 bye, the Indianapolis Colts go into Week 15 hoping to make the playoffs. They are currently holding the No. 8 seed in the AFC with a 6-7 record, two games behind the Denver Broncos, who hold the No. 7 seed for the last playoff berth.

Fortunately, the Colts have a reasonably easy run of games to finish the regular season schedule, including a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the Broncos.

Here's what the Colts must accomplish in the last few games to qualify for the playoffs.

Colts playoff scenarios at going 6-7

The Colts have to beat the Broncos to have a good shot at the postseason. If they don't, they will trail Denver by three games with three games remaining, effectively ending their chances of making the playoffs since the Broncos would have the head-to-head tiebreaker.

With a win Sunday, the Colts would only trail the Broncos by one game going into the final three weeks of the season. They would also hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver.

If the Colts prevail on Sunday then drop one of their next three contests, Denver would need to drop two of its own three games. This will still enable Indianapolis to finish with the same record as the Broncos and still have the head-to-head advantage.

The Colts must also be wary of the Dolphins, who are 6-7. Indianapolis has a head-to-head tiebreaker over Miami.

The Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Chargers are the three sides with 8-5 records that presently occupy postseason spots in the AFC.

According to Sportskeeda's Playoff Predictor, the Colts will not make the playoffs despite having an easy final stretch of games. The predictor says Indianapolis will only win one of its last four games to finish with a 7-10 record.

Sportkeeda's Playoff Predictor

According to the projections, the Colts will finish the season second in the AFC South and ninth in the AFC.

Sportkeeda's Playoff Predictor