The Indianapolis Colts are suddenly facing a season-defining crisis. What began as one of the NFL’s strongest starts, a commanding 7–1 record and control of the AFC South, has now unraveled into uncertainty after a crushing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Even worse, the Colts lost their star quarterback, Daniel Jones, to a torn Achilles in the middle of that first-place showdown, abruptly ending his season and potentially reshaping the AFC playoff picture.
In a move few could have predicted, 44-year-old Philip Rivers has officially returned to the Colts after five years away from the game. The future Hall of Famer, who last played for Indianapolis in 2020, comes back as an emergency reinforcement in the thick of a playoff race — but he likely will not start immediately. Instead, all eyes turn to hampered rookie Riley Leonard, the former Notre Dame star who is expected to make his first career start this Sunday if his body is able.
And his assignment could not be more daunting: Leonard’s debut comes on the road in Seattle, against one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Seahawks remain a top-tier pass-stopping unit, and Lumen Field is among the hardest environments for a young quarterback to survive, let alone succeed.
Making matters worse, the Colts’ remaining schedule is as difficult as any contending team’s in the league:
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Week 15: at Seattle
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Week 16: vs San Francisco
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Week 17: vs Jacksonville
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Week 18: at Houston
The question now looms over Indianapolis: Could the Colts become the 6th team since the merger to miss the playoffs after starting 7–1?
Only five teams in NFL history have suffered that kind of collapse:
Teams That Started 7–1 and Missed the Playoffs
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2012 Bears
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1996 Washington
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1988 Saints
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1987 Chargers
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1975 Dolphins
The Colts don’t want to see their name join that list, but the margin for error has evaporated. A depleted roster, a rookie quarterback making his debut in brutal conditions, and one of the league’s toughest finishing stretches now stand between Indianapolis and what once looked like a near-certain postseason berth.
With injuries mounting and pressure rising, Week 15 may determine whether the Colts can steady themselves — or whether they are on the verge of one of the most stunning collapses in modern NFL history.