It’s Super Bowl Sunday, but rather than wondering how the Indianapolis Colts can get back to the big game, let’s hit the brakes a bit and workthrough how this team can first get back to the playoffs.
The last time that the Colts made the postseason was back in 2020, and the last time they won a playoff game was in 2018.
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The Colts will run things back in 2026, however. There is a belief internally that the success the Colts had through the first half of last season can be replicated.
But to ensure that happens and the Colts do make it back to the playoffs, these three things must first occur.
Learn to win late in the season
The Colts ended the 2025 season on an eight-game losing streak. But this sentiment goes beyond just this past year. There have been other seasons in recent years where this has been an issue.
Whether it’s not making key plays late or too many miscues to overcome, the Colts have been unable to win those must-have games late in the season.
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“We just have to be able to face adversity better,” said Carlie Irsay-Gordon in her end-of-season press conference. “It’s about finishing games.”
In these critical late-season games, everything is magnified and teams have to be sharper. There is also something to be said for having some experienced players on the roster who have found success in these high-leverage moments.
Staying healthy
Injuries will never be an excuse in the NFL, but they were also a reality for the Indianapolis Colts. This team was without numerous key players down the stretch, including Daniel Jones. It’s hard not to imagine things playing out differently if the Colts are healthy.
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Getting after the quarterback
The Colts’ defense ranked 30th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric last season. When a defense can generate steady pressure on the quarterback, it changes the entire complexion of that unit.
The jobs of every other defender on the field become easier, and mistakes or negative plays are often created. It also changes how Lou Anarumo calls games, allowing him to be more aggressive elsewhere.
On the flip side, without it, everything else becomes more difficult when the quarterback has a clean pocket to operate from.
Addressing the defensive front, particularly the defensive end spot, has to be a top priority for GM Chris Ballard this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: How Indianapolis Colts can make playoffs in 2026