Can Colts take advantage of remaining strength of schedule?

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Can the Indianapolis Colts take advantage of their remaining schedule to make a playoff push?

Now, at 4-6 on the year and in the midst of a three game losing streak, I know what you’re thinking–playoffs?!

But despite how poorly things have gone as of late, yes, the Colts are still in the mix. They currently sit just one game back of the 5-5 Denver Broncos for the final wildcard spot in the AFC and with a win over the New York Jets, their playoff odds take a pretty significant jump.

While right now, the Colts find themselves working their way through what is their most difficult stretch of the schedule, according to NFL.com, their remaining strength of schedule is one of the easiest in football.

The combined winning percentage of the Colts remaining opponents is just .368, which is the second-lowest among all teams, only trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here is who the Colts have left on the schedule:

at New York Jets (3-7)
vs Detroit (8-1)
at New England (3-7)
Bye week
at Denver (5-5)
vs Tennessee (2-7)
at New York Giants (2-8)
vs Jacksonville (2-8)

Obviously, the Lions are going to be an incredibly difficult matchup, but other than that one game, no other opponent is above .500 at the moment, and five of the Colts’ final seven games come against teams with three or fewer wins.

With that said, of course, games are not played on paper. Any team can win any week in the NFL and before the Colts can become overly concerned with who their opponents are, they have their own issues to clean up if they’re going to take advantage of this schedule.

Many of those issues begin on the offensive side of the ball, specifically in the passing game. The defense, however, even against some good offenses, has held its own over the last month.

Hopefully the return of Anthony Richardson under center can provide the offense with a needed spark. Whether on the ground or down the field, Richardson’s presence has provide the offense with big play potential this season, but it’s on those short to intermediate routes where more consistency is needed.

Getting back on track begins with taking care of business on Sunday against the Jets. To preview that matchup, click here.