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With the loss of Anthony Richardson, the inconsistent play of Gardner Minshew, and the frustrations that we as Colts fans all endure while intently viewing their games every week (and subsequently living and dying on almost each and every series of downs), winning the AFC South division doesn't seem possible ...... but if we take a step back from our royal blue-shaded sunglasses, we can see that there are many reasons why the Colts are sitting at a respectable 7-6 overall record ...... it just doesn't seem that way because we are all so emotionally involved and invested in the outcome of each and every game that the team plays that we tend to lose sight of any kind of objectivity.

It is similar to getting hosed by the referees on bad calls. I am the first to point out that the Colts got robbed of a win against the Browns, because the horrible calls at the end of that game were in the waning seconds of the 4th quarter, and there was no time for the Colts to regroup and compensate for those horrible calls. The Colts got a turnover, and 1 or 2 kneel-downs by our QB would have (and should have) ended that game ...... BUT OVERALL, bad calls are a part of the game, and they go both ways. It seems like the referees are always against the Colts, and always screwing them ...... but that's not necessarily true ...... it just seems that way because of the fact that we are so passionate about our beloved Colts that we tend to forget that the referees also make bad and/or questionable calls in our favor.

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Concerning the AFC South, Will Levis was pretty impressive Monday night, I can easily see the AFC South becoming the strongest division in the NFL after years of being one of the weakest!

Wentz Levis had a good game against the Dolphins? Interesting.

He plays hard.

Obviously fuck the kid because he plays for Tennessee, but I respect his attitude.

Everyone wanted to laugh at him on draft day.

https://images2.imgbox.com/8e/b3/v87wiS9T_o.jpg

:D

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Taylor Heinicke Leads Falcons to Impressive Win Over Colts

(By D. Orlando Ledbetter)

https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-f...OPYS55CQR73I4/

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(DECEMBER 26th)


Prior to their loss to the Falcons, the Colts had gone 5-1 over their previous 6 games, which was the best record in the NFL for that 6-game span.



SOURCE: ) Stephen Holder, ESPN Sportswriter

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Before we count out our beloved Colts, the Los Angeles Rams are another team that has turned what appeared to be a 2nd consecutive losing season into something that is now more than salvageable ...... they started out at 3-6, but are now are the hottest team in the NFC ...... they have gone 5-1 over their last 6 games, with their lone blemish in that span being an overtime loss to the 12-3 Ravens.



http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/show...128#post288128

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If the Colts win their last 2 games, they will be in the playoffs ...... regardless of what else happens around the AFC.



Shane Steichen Delivers Message to Colts: 'We Control Our Own Destiny'

(By Andrew Moore)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/st...ontrol-destiny

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We have seen this movie before, except for one of the major players has been replaced. I hope the ending is better this time.

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https://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/r...Teams/2021-ind

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(3 MONTHS LATER)


3 out of the 4 teams in the AFC South will finish the 2023 season with winning records.



(9-7)


THE COLTS

THE JAGUARS

THE TEXANS

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Houston Texans (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (9-7)


8:15 p.m. ET, Saturday | ESPN | Spread: HOU -1.5 (47.5)



Storyline to watch: ) The stakes in this year's game between these 2 teams could not be more different from those in last season's finale. The No. 1 overall pick in the draft was on the line in Week 18 in the 2022 season, with the Colts losing and knocking Houston into the No. 2 choice. This season, the winner of this game goes to the playoffs and wildly accelerates its rebuilding effort ahead of 2024. - - - Stephen Holder


Bold Prediction: ) The Texans will win by more than 10 points, as quarterback C.J. Stroud will throw for more than 350 yards. The Texans are a completely different team than the one that faced the Colts in Week 2, and in that matchup Stroud threw for 384 yards. The Colts lean on running the ball, and the Texans have the third-best run defense in the NFL. Once they stop the run, the Texans will run away with it. - - - DJ Bien-Aime


Stat to Know: ) The Colts allow the 3rd-highest completion percentage on throws of 20-plus yards downfield (46%.) Stroud has the 2nd-highest QBR (99), the 3rd-highest completion percentage (57.1%), 5 passing touchdowns, and 0 interceptions on such throws.


Matchup X Factor: ) Texans edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr ...... he's making a late Defensive Rookie of the Year push with 2.0 sacks last week. He has a 26% pass-rush win rate, which ranks 3rd among all edge rushers. - - - Walder


What's at Stake: ) The winner of this season-finale will make the playoffs. And if the Jaguars lose on Sunday, the winner would also clinch the AFC South division title ...... but the loser of this game will be eliminated from the postseason.


Betting Nugget: ) The Colts are 5-1 ATS as favorites this season. The Texans are 4-1 ATS as road underdogs this season, with 4 straight covers.


*************************************


Moody's Pick: ) Texans 31, Colts 23


Walder's Pick: ) Texans 30, Colts 16


FPI Prediction: ) INDIANAPOLIS, 51.6% (By an Average of 0.6 Points)


https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...ts-2023-season

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It would have been great to see AR vs. Stroud in this finale. Damn it!