Here's what needs to happen today for the Colts to make the playoffs

It's week 17 of the 2015 NFL season, meaning that 20 teams will be playing their last football game until August as they wrap up their regular season.  Unless things go absolutely perfect for the Indianapolis Colts, they'll be among that group watching the playoffs from home ahead of a very long offseason.

The Colts aren't dead yet in the playoff race, but they're in a very tough position.  They need nine different games to go exactly the right way today, and if that happens, the Colts will win the AFC South and make the playoffs.  But if any one of those nine games doesn't go in the Colts' favor, Indianapolis is officially eliminated.

Therefore, as you watch the Colts this afternoon, keep an eye on the scoreboard to monitor the other games, and here's a rooting guide for you to tell you which games need to go which way in order for the Colts to make it.

1:00 p.m. ET

Indianapolis Colts beat Tennessee Titans

Jacksonville Jaguars beat Houston Texans

Pittsburgh Steelers beat Cleveland Browns

Baltimore Ravens beat Cincinnati Bengals

Miami Dolphins beat New England Patriots

Buffalo Bills beat New York Jets

Atlanta Falcons beat New Orleans Saints

4:25 p.m. ET

Denver Broncos beat San Diego Chargers

Oakland Raiders beat Kansas City Chiefs

So there you have it.  If those nine games all turn out like they are listed above, the Colts will be playing next weekend in the wild card round of the playoffs.  Simple enough, right?

Ultimately, it looks very unlikely to happen, but the Colts technically still do have a chance.  So here's your rooting guide for this afternoon's games to keep an eye on as you watch the Colts.  The biggest and most important thing the Colts have to do is make sure they take care of business against the Titans.  From there, it's just simply hoping that they'll get help from eight other teams.