INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have a pretty simple path to make the playoffs this Saturday when they host AFC South rival Houston.
Win and you're in, lose and you're done.
While a victory would take at least a little of the suspense out of the weekend, a tie game could also benefit the Colts. (More on that later.)
The NFL released the official playoff scenarios for Week 18, including possible matchups for Wild Card Weekend.
Here's what you need to know:
If the Colts beat the Texans in primetime Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, they'll be 10-7 and head to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, but will have to wait a day or so to learn their opponent.
If the Titans pull off an upset of Jacksonville Sunday afternoon, the Colts will claim the AFC South title and host Cleveland in a matchup of Week 7's 39-38 Browns victory that ended with more than a little controversy.
If Jacksonville wins, they'll claim the division (based on their regular-season sweep of Indianapolis), and the Colts will claim a wild card spot.
Should the Colts and Texans tie Saturday night, a Jaguars loss would also deliver Indianapolis the AFC South crown. Even if Jacksonville gets a win in this scenario, a loss or tie by Pittsburgh would seal a wild card spot for the Colts.
The Steelers travel to Baltimore Saturday afternoon, where the Ravens have already clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
A Colts win + Jaguars loss/tie or Colts tie + Jaguars loss = AFC South title
A Colts win + Jaguars win or Colts tie + Steelers loss/tie = Wild Card spot
Who would they play?
Should the Colts make the playoffs, there are three scenarios that will impact their seeding and opponent during Wild Card Weekend.
If Indianapolis wins the AFC South, they'll be the No. 4 seed in the AFC and host Cleveland at Lucas Oil Stadium.
If the Colts beat Houston, but Jacksonville wins, the Colts will be locked into either the sixth or seventh seed in the AFC. If Buffalo loses in Miami Sunday night, Indianapolis will be the No. 6 seed and travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs. If Buffalo beats the Dolphins in Miami or the game ends in a tie, the Colts will be the No. 7 seed and travel to either Buffalo (if the Bills win Sunday) or Miami (if Sunday night's game ends in a tie).
The NFL playoffs start Saturday, Jan. 13 with two games, followed by three games on Sunday, Jan. 14 and a Monday Night Football game Jan. 15 to wrap up Wild Card Weekend.