The Indianapolis Colts are in a position not many people thought they would be entering Week 18 of the 2023 regular season. With a victory, they have a chance to not only clinch a playoff spot but win the AFC South divisional title as well.
With their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17, the Colts are in a win-and-in situation against the Houston Texans. If they come away victorious, at the very least they will land a Wild Card spot. If they win and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis will be the AFC South champs.
The last time the Colts made the playoffs was in 2020 and ending that drought this season would be impressive. Indianapolis hasn’t had their starting quarterback, rookie Anthony Richardson, since Week 5 when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
In his place, the team has turned to Gardner Minshew. Minshew has been solid for the Colts this season, going 7-5 as a starter. He has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,164 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
What can he do to ensure that he wins an eighth game and punches a ticket to the postseason? By being as prepared as possible. According to Minshew, the message head coach Shane Steichen shared with the team was to have their best week of preparation possible.
“Shane (Steichen) put it great, we have to have our best week of preparation this week,” Minshew said on Tuesday. “I think that’s one of the things – when we prepare the right way, we go out and perform the right way. I think everybody is locked in on what we got to do to do it and I think everybody is excited for it.” (H/T Horseshoe Huddle)
Minshew has certainly played well enough to be considered as a starting option for other teams around the NFL. While that could be something he pursues in the offseason, his focus right now is 100 percent on defeating the Texans this weekend.
There have been times this season that production offensively has been shaky. Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss and wide receiver Michael Pittamn Jr. have all missed games during the season.
Not having their top playmakers in the mix has certainly hurt the team’s production at times. The Colts know that they need to avoid a slow start or getting into a rut early as the Texans can put up points with rookie phenom C.J. Stroud leading their offense.
“I think we just got to find our rhythm,” Minshew commented. “I think we’ve done that in some games and then we’ve lost it. I think it’s being consistent every time we step out there, being locked in with our assignment, technique and being able to execute consistently against them.”
With their playmakers seemingly healthy heading into Week 18, it will be all hands on deck for the Colts. They are in a great spot to control their own destiny. If they handle business against the Texans, they will be playoff-bound.
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