FanPost

Introducing your 2012 Indianapolis Colts Wilidcard Team!

I am surprised this post has not been written yet. I know it's always prudent to temper one's expectations and not get too carried away. But right now, it's also very hard to not get excited about the potential of this team making the playoffs. Coming of a huge win against GB, the Colts stand at 2-2, which should be 3-1 (if's and but's and all that).

But bigger than the record is the fact that the Colts have dominated halves in the last 3 games, which means....the Colts have the ability to play dominant football. Most of the issues that plagued the Colts in the 2nd half against MIN and JAC and the 1st half against GB are fixable. If the Colts can start playing consistent football, I think this could be a very good team. Injuries will play a crucial role, as they always do, but let's pretend for a moment that we will have a "healthy" team for the rest of the season. Let's take a look at the remaining schedule:

@ New York Jets (WIN) - This is a game the Colts should win as the Jets offense is abysmal and their defense is not what is used to be.

Cleveland Browns (WIN) - Very winnable game.

@ Tennessee Titans (WIN) - Division games are always tough, but the Titans do not look like a good team.

Miami Dolphins (WIN) - Very good defense, but very beatable team.

@ Jacksonville Jaguars (WIN) - Colts won't let down this time.

@ New England Patriots (LOSS) - Colts could/should be 7-2 heading into this game. But the Patriots are a well-oiled machine and hard to beat at home. Stranger things have happened, case in point Sunday, but for now let's say they lose.

Buffalo Bills (WIN) - Again, a very beatable team.

@ Detroit Lions (LOss) - DET has struggled in the early part of the season, but I can't help but think they will be a very good team once we get to week 12.

TEN (WIN) - Another divsional game, another should-be win for the Colts...especially at home.

@ Houston Texans (LOSS) - The first of two late-season games agains the Texans will most likely be a very tough matchup. Even if HOU continues to roll, I expect to see their starters in this game and I think they are one of the two best teams in the NFL.

@ Kansas City Chiefs (WIN) - The Colts should be playing inspired football and be able to beat the Chiefs at this point in the season.

Houston Texans (WIN/LOSS) - This could go either way. The Texans will most likely have a top seed locked up and will probably rest some of their starters as they did a year ago. The Colts have never lost both games of a season to HOU, so this one could go either way.

There it is folks. That's 10-6 or 11-5 and should put the Colts in a great position to win a wild card spot, given that the AFC North should beat up on each other and the AFC East is weak. I know it's hard to say the Colts will win every game they should, but these are very winnable games. Not to mention they could win a game they shouldn't as they did Sunday. Either way, it's no longer improbable that the 2012 could be playoff contender. The Colts are currently 9th in the AFC with a 33% chance of making the playoffs with MIA, CIN, PIT and DEN ahead of them. This should drastically change as the season plays out and the Colts win more games.

Either way, it's going to be a fun ride.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.