Report: Colts’ Playoff Prospects Are Much Smoother After Quarterback Injury

Multiple reports state that Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, is out for the season.

During the Baltimore Ravens game on Thursday Night Football, Burrow sustained a torn ligament in his wrist. The Bengals’ chances of making the playoffs in a competitive division and conference are seriously jeopardized after the loss, which dropped them to 5-5 on the season and cost them Burrow.

Nobody enjoys injuries, especially to elite athletes like quarterbacks. Burrow is the most recent high-profile casualty in an NFL season where injuries have forced many quarterbacks to start at the quarterback position across the league. Take a peek at the Colts’ backyard, where Anthony Richardson’s rookie season was drastically cut short. For the Bengals, it’s now Jake Browning’s job for the rest of the season.

The Colts should be pleased with that. Without a doubt, the most difficult test still on the schedule was against Burrow and the Bengals. In the NFL, nothing is guaranteed, but Indianapolis’ chances of winning the game are slightly increased with Burrow out of the picture. The starting quarterbacks the Colts will face and their remaining schedule are almost laughable.

Currently, the Colts’ remaining opponents include the Tampa Bay Bucs and Baker Mayfield; Tennessee Titans and Will Levis; Cincinnati Bengals and Jake Browning; Pittsburgh Steelers and Kenny Pickett; Atlanta Falcons and Desmond Ridder; Las Vegas Raiders and Aidan O’Connell; and Houston Texans and C.J. Stroud.

With only one starting quarterback left, Stroud is currently the tallest on the list. The Week 18 matchup between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans could have a significant impact on both teams’ chances of making the playoffs, if not the division. At the beginning of the season, who would have guessed that for either team?

With Gardner Minshew at quarterback, the Colts are clearly in a backup quarterback situation. Their chances of making the playoffs would greatly improve if Minshew could get back on track and start putting the “Mania” back into it. Every game left on the schedule is winnable if the Colts can keep the rig on the road and make the most of their hand throughout the remainder of the season.

Come out of the bye and take care of business and there’s a solid chance the Colts are featured regularly on the “In The Hunt” graphic across network broadcasts the rest of the season.