The upcoming Week 15 NFL matchup that holds significant implications for the playoff race doesn’t involve division leaders or teams with winning records. Despite this, the Indianapolis Colts visiting the Denver Broncos could have a major impact on the postseason picture. While other high-stakes games feature teams vying for the top seed, the Colts and Broncos are still fighting for playoff berths, potentially reshaping the wild-card race. With both teams sitting on the cusp of playoff contention, their showdown feels like a crucial playoff game in December.
The Broncos, currently in seventh place, are among four 8-5 teams trying to fend off the two 6-7 teams outside of the playoff picture: the Colts and the Miami Dolphins. A win for the Colts would significantly boost their playoff chances from 25% to 51%, according to NFL.com’s playoff probability tracker. Conversely, a loss would diminish their odds to a mere 3%, essentially making this a must-win game for them. The Broncos, on the other hand, could increase their chances of making the playoffs to 91% with a victory but face a 50/50 shot with a loss.
It’s been a surprising season for the Broncos, who have seen success under rookie quarterback Bo Nix after parting ways with veteran Russell Wilson. Nix has led the team to three consecutive wins and five victories in their last seven games, showcasing significant improvement as the season has progressed. His performance has even put him in the conversation for NFL Rookie of the Year, trailing only Jayden Daniels in the odds. As both rookie quarterbacks aim to potentially start playoff games, there is still work ahead for them to solidify their positions in the postseason race.
In a pivotal showdown on Sunday, securing victory in a game that may not have generated the most hype on the schedule, yet undoubtedly carried the most significance.
