Colts Officially Out of Playoff Contention

The Indianapolis Colts faced a grim reality on Saturday, officially being eliminated from playoff contention. This disappointing turn of events placed them in an unwanted chapter of NFL history, as they became the sixth team to miss the postseason after starting the season with a record of 8-2 or better.

A Promising Start Turned Sour

Initially, hopes were high for the Colts entering the 2025 season. They kicked off the year on a strong note, winning their first three games and maintaining an impressive 7-1 record through eight contests. A narrow loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9 did not deter them, as they rallied back with an overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons, standing strong at 8-2 as they approached their Week 11 bye.

Injury Woes and Missed Opportunities

However, the team's fortunes took a downturn following the bye week. Key injuries plagued the Colts, including star quarterback Jones, who played through a fractured fibula before tragically suffering a torn Achilles in a December 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. This injury marked a disheartening end to his breakout season, during which he achieved a career-high completion percentage of 68.0 with 3,101 passing yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions in just 13 starts.

In an effort to bolster their roster, the Colts also made headlines with a blockbuster trade acquiring star cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets on November 4. Unfortunately, Gardner himself faced challenges, appearing in only three games before a calf injury sidelined him since Week 13.

To stabilize their quarterback position, the Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement on December 9. While Rivers displayed impressive performances, the team still struggled to secure victories, leading to the current five-game losing streak—their longest since 2022.