For the Colts' game against the New York Giants to matter on Sunday, they need the Los Angeles Chargers and/or Denver Broncos to lose on Saturday.
Wins by both the Chargers (at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.) and Broncos (at Cincinnati Bengals, 4:30 p.m.) would eliminate the Colts from the playoffs. A loss by either team and the door will remain open for the Colts to make the playoffs – provided they beat the 2-13 Giants in Week 17 at MetLife Stadium.
But players and coaches will not be feverishly checking the scores of those two games while on the team flight or in between responsibilities after they land. You won't see the Colts living and dying with every pass Drake Maye and Joe Burrow throw. Instead, this team's focus is squarely where they need it to be: On themselves, and with the understanding that they missed opportunities throughout the year to control their own playoff destiny.
"For me personally, it's kind of out of sight, out of mind," defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. "I just know we have to handle our own business, you know what I mean? And at the end of the year, or after these two weeks, however it shakes out, it shakes out.
"We get some help, and we get in, great. If we don't, I mean that's on us, and shame on us."
The Giants enter Week 17 on a 10-game losing streak, one which has them on track to get the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft for the first time since 1965. They've yet to win a game at MetLife Stadium this season, and the Giants have lost more games by 20 or more points (five) than they've had games in which they've scored 20 or more points (four).
New York ranks at or near the bottom of the NFL in several statistical categories:
| Stat | # | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|
| Yards/game | 292.3 | 32nd |
| Yards/play | 4.6 | 32nd |
| Third down% | 34.6% | 29th |
| Red zone TD rate | 42.5% | 32nd |
| Points/game | 14.3 | 32nd |
| Points/game allowed | 24.1 | 25th |
| Point differential/game | -9.8 | 31st |
| Turnovers | 22 | 21st |
| Takeaways | 12 | 28th |
| Turnover margin | -10 | 28th |
While the Giants may have the worst record in the NFL, the Colts can't afford to blow them off. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, for example, is a bona fide superstar: His nine sacks are tied for the most among defensive tackles this season, and his 83.8 Pro Football Focus run defense grade is second-highest among players at his position. And wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has 97 receptions, nine shy of breaking Puka Nacua's rookie record set last year.
The Colts, too, may have to beat the Giants with backup Joe Flacco tagging in for Anthony Richardson.
Richardson did not participate in practice this week due to back and foot injuries, but the Colts on Friday did not rule him out for Sunday's game. Head coach Shane Steichen said the Colts would monitor Richardson's status in the next two days before making a determination on his availability for Week 17.
Flacco, in six games (four starts) this season, has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,167 yards with nine touchdowns, five interceptions and a passer rating of 91.5.
This uncertain quarterback situation in Week 17 comes against this backdrop, though: The Colts cannot afford to lose. Even if they do get help Saturday with a Chargers and/or Broncos loss, the Colts will be eliminated from the playoffs with a loss or tie in either of their two games to end the 2024 regular season.
So no matter who's behind center, or how good the team is on the other sideline, or what happens on Saturday, the goal is clear for the Colts: Win, and then hope. Not the other way around.
"The reality of the situation is every scenario starts with us winning out, so let's take care of our business," linebacker Zaire Franklin said. "Let's do our job. Football is a funny thing. So we'll see how it all plays out."
