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The Indianapolis Colts (10-5) will need a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) and some help to receive a potential playoff berth on Sunday, as head coach Frank Reich’s squad is currently on the outside looking into the AFC playoff race.
Specifically, the Colts need the ‘W’ on Sunday and just one of the following AFC teams to lose (denoted in bold):
Miami Dolphins (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (11-3)
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) at Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Tennessee Titans (10-5) at Houston Texans (4-11) [which would win the AFC South for the Colts]
With that being said, ahead of the season finale, most NFL teams already know their destiny and whether they’ll be playing in the playoffs—or hitting the showers at season’s end. With the revamped playoff seeding, the AFC’s #2 seed isn’t nearly as valuable either (nor is homefield advantage with limited fans because of COVID-19).
Playoff teams frequently rest starters or shut down players for the final week that may have been battling through some lingering injuries—as do non-playoff teams for the latter, because there’s no point in gutting it out for essentially a meaningless game.
As such, here’s some recent updates of the AFC teams that the Colts will be watching closely and rooting for to beat those aforementioned playoff hopefuls (Dolphins, Ravens, Browns, and Titans) to see if Indianapolis can sneak into the playoffs after all:
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Miami Dolphins (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (11-3)
#Bills HC Sean McDermott said they're going to "keep the plan internal" for now on whether to rest the starters vs. the Dolphins, especially because he hasn't had a chance to talk to the players yet. But they do have a plan for the week that they established today.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) December 29, 2020
#Bills QB Josh Allen after a 38-9 win over the #Patriots: "It was important because we know what's at stake. We want to get the 2 seed and give ourselves and opportunity to have a couple home games at least."@news4buffalo #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/4E0Pjn1Z12
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) December 29, 2020
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Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) at Cleveland Browns (10-5)
Tomlin says he's hoping to "airmail" some starters into the playoffs.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 29, 2020
But he also said...
"The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing."
Mike Tomlin on resting starters: "This is no preseason game where we're playing backups, players 54-75 to evaluate. ...
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 29, 2020
"This is an NFL team that will go play, minus Ben and maybe another player or two."
In addition to Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers will not play C Maurkice Pouncey, OLB T.J. Watt and DE Cam Heyward against the Browns on Sunday.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) December 31, 2020
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Tennessee Titans (10-5) at Houston Texans (4-11)
Deshaun Watson isn't listed on the injury report. That isn't unexpected
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2020
Deshaun Watson is doing pretty good according to Romeo Crennel. “I hope he does good on Sunday too”
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 30, 2020
Looks like Deshaun Watson will play Sunday against the Titans.
Romeo Crennel on Deshaun Watson and if he will play against Titans: 'I haven't talked to medical people yet, if he's okay, I think we should play him. Every time you're on a football field, there's a chance you could get hurt' Initial diagnosis for Watson: not serious
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 28, 2020
#Texans LT Laremy Tunsil suffered what is believed to be a high-ankle sprain in today’s game and its highly doubtful he plays in the finale vs the #Titans, source said. A Pro Bowl season, nonetheless.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2020