The NFL playoffs don’t technically begin for another four weeks, but for the Indianapolis Colts (6-7), this week is already do or die if they hope to make the postseason.

The Colts enter Sunday’s matchup with the Denver Broncos (8-5) as the eighth seed in the AFC, while the Broncos sit in the seventh and final playoff spot. Losing to a Denver team who’s already two games ahead in the standings with only three games to make it up makes the Colts’ chances of getting to the playoffs all but insurmountable. The AFC South front-runner Houston Texans (8-5) also swept the Colts earlier in the year, and teams like the Baltimore Ravens (8-5) and Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) also hold advantages over Indy.

The good news for the Colts is that their final three opponents after the Broncos — the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and Jacksonville Jaguars — are a combined 8-31, allowing for the slimmest chance of life if they lose to Denver.

Here’s how the Horseshoe Huddle staff sees things unfolding for the Colts over the final four games of the NFL regular season, with our roundtable of six analysts feeling confident the Colts can largely take care of business, but with a critical hiccup ultimately costing the team.

Sean Ackerman (@shnackerman): As much as I would love to see this team play in the postseason, it just might not be time yet. This final stretch feels like a great opportunity for a learning experience that Anthony Richardson can use to improve heading into next season. Consistency has been a missing factor throughout the year and it wouldn’t make sense for them to suddenly put together four winning performances.
Pick: 3-1, miss playoffs at 9-8

Pick: 4-0, make playoffs at 10-7

Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2): I have the Colts at 9-8 to finish the season and just missing the playoffs. The Colts have shown some resiliency in recent weeks, and the final stretch is favorable, but the Broncos are a difficult matchup for this squad. With Indy’s inconsistencies on offense and recent defensive struggles, the Broncos appear to be too difficult of a matchup for the Colts to overcome. I think Indy will finish strong in the final three weeks to salvage a winning record and just miss the playoffs as the AFC’s 8th seed.
Pick: 3-1, miss playoffs at 9-8