What might be an important Week 15 NFL matchup isn’t a faceoff between division leaders. It doesn’t even function two groups with profitable information.
And but, in per week stuffed with notable video games, there is probably not one that would alter the playoff image greater than the Indianapolis Colts’ go to to Denver to tackle the Broncos.
No, it is not the 10-win Pittsburgh Steelers dealing with the 11-win Philadelphia Eagles or the 10-win Buffalo Payments dealing with the 12-win Detroit Lions, each matchups on Sunday that would assist resolve the No. 1 seed within the NFC or hold alive long-shot paths to the AFC’s prime seed. But these 4 groups have both already clinched playoff berths or are all however sure to. One month earlier than the playoffs start, in the meantime, each the Colts (6-7) and the Broncos (8-5) are nonetheless preventing for berths, they usually may reshape the wild-card race and with it the underside of the AFC’s bracket.
Seven groups from every convention make the playoffs. The Broncos sit in seventh and the Colts in eighth. Denver is one in every of 4 8-5 groups attempting to carry off the convention’s two 6-7 groups on the skin of the playoffs wanting in: Indianapolis and Miami.
It’s why Colts-Broncos carries the sensation of a playoff sport in December.
With a win, the Colts’ probabilities of making the playoffs would enhance from 25% to 51%, in line with NFL.com’s playoff probability tracker. A loss, nonetheless, would drop that chance to three%, making this a de facto elimination sport. That they’re even in place to probably make the playoffs wouldn’t have been anticipated in October, when the Colts have been 3-3 and had benched their 2023 first-round choose, quarterback Anthony Richardson. Since Richardson was reinstated, Indianapolis is 2-1, with a pair of fourth-quarter comeback victories.
The Broncos, one in every of 4 8-5 groups within the AFC, can’t clinch a playoff spot with a win, however they’ll transfer to 91% odds of constructing the postseason, in line with the NFL. A loss, nonetheless, would give them primarily a 50/50 shot.
The Broncos have been one of many NFL’s most shocking tales.
One yr after the Broncos moved on from veteran quarterback Russell Wilson to usher of their subsequent QB, Denver and rookie quarterback Bo Nix have gained three straight video games and 5 of their final seven, all by double digits. Nix began his NFL profession enduring a harsh studying curve, dropping his first two video games and throwing for simply 60 yards in his fourth. However after he threw for 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in his final seven video games, Nix now ranks behind solely Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in NFL Rookie of the 12 months odds, according to Covers.
Since 2000, there have been 5 seasons wherein a number of rookie quarterbacks began playoff video games. It might be six with Daniels and Nix. However each nonetheless have work to do to get there.
For Nix, that features profitable a matchup Sunday that gained’t ever be confused with the schedule’s buzziest matchup — however is probably its most consequential.
Andrew Greif
Andrew Greif is a contract sports activities journalist.
