Why Week 14 hurt the Colts playoff hopes

And to add insult to injury, most of the games that impacted the Colts didn't go their way either. 

While most of the week didn't go in the Colts favor, it's important to note that the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans lost their matchups. This is a good thing for the Colts, but it makes their loss to the Bengals sting even more as they fumbled a huge opportunity. 

After the division games, there were two other matchups that the Colts had their eyes on in Week 14. 

• Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Colts were rooting for both home teams above as they entered Week 14, just a game above both the Broncos and Bills. Neither result would satisfy the Colts, though. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 24-7, and the Bills upset the Chiefs at Arrowhead 20-17. 

The Colts now are one of six teams to be 7-6 in the NFL, and while the Colts currently find themselves in the AFC Playoff Picture as the 7th seed, they've already lost to the Bengals (7-6), and the Browns (8-5) this season. And have matchups with the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) and the Texans (7-6) remaining on their schedule. 

While Week 14 wasn't kind, the Colts still seem to be in control of their own destiny. If they can win out, they will more than likely find themselves in the AFC Playoffs. But a win in Week 14 would have done wonders for their season. And if they finish the year on the outside looking in, it'll be a week many look at as the biggest blunder of the season. 

Colts Remaining Schedule: 

• Week 15: Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) 
• Week 16: @ Atlanta Falcons (6-7) 
• Week 17: Vs. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) 
• Week 18: Vs. Houston Texans (7-6)