Indianapolis Colts' Playoff Hopes Come to a Realistic, Fitting End in Loss

Just like that, the Indianapolis Colts' season was all but over. 

Sure, the Colts still have a mathematical chance to get into the playoffs, but realistically, they are better off setting their sights on next season after an embarrassing 16-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. 

Embarrassing. 

That's the word that describes most of the Colts' season, especially what's gone on over the last three weeks. 

Against competent quarterbacks, the Colts were blown out in Weeks 13 and 14, being outscored 96-26 and outclassed in all three phases. 

Against the T.J. Yates- and Brandon Weeden-led Texans, the team participated in the ugliest game since its 16-13 overtime win against Jacksonville in Week 4. 

Ugly. 

There's another word that describes most of the Colts' season. 

Using both, we can pretty well describe the Colts' loss to Houston on Sunday. 

The Colts offense was ugly in its most basic form, struggling to move the ball all game. 

Gifted four drives past the Indianapolis 45-yard line, the Colts managed just 10 points on those drives, including one drive that started on the Houston 47 and ended with a punt from the 42-yard line. In the second half, the Colts didn't score a single point.

You can understand why, to some extent. The Colts' field position in the second half was much worse, with drives starting on their own 25, 20, 17, 11 and 6. The team did have one drive start on the Houston 49-yard line, with a chance to win the game, down three points with just three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, Griff Whalen fumbled a short pass, leading to Houston's third field goal of the game. 

Even the Colts' scores in the first half, however, were only because of the team's advantageous field position. But that's been the case for the last three weeks, as the Colts haven't had a touchdown drive of 70 yards or more since their win over Tampa Bay in Week 13. 

It really didn't matter what the Colts tried to do Sunday, they couldn't string together more than a few plays at a time. 

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw for just 147 yards, one touchdown and an interception on 32 dropbacks, a paltry 4.9 yards per attempt and a 66.9 passer rating. Frank Gore ran for just 2.8 yards per attempt and 44 total yards.

Although the Colts were able to put together a decent outing offensively against the Buccaneers in their last win, it proved to be an exception for the Hasselbeck-led Colts, and defenses have continued to dare the Colts to throw down the field.

That's been the right move. And the Colts have looked ugly. 

Sunday was embarrassing, too. 

This Texans team was being led by T.J. Yates. Then it was being led by Brandon Weeden. 

And the Colts lost.

Not that it was surprising. The Colts simply are not a good team, particularly not without Andrew Luck on the field. The roster is significantly flawed, and the coaching staff is a spectacularly poor fit.

But it was still embarrassing. 

Just ask veteran safety Mike Adams, who couldn't even put together his thoughts after the game, per Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star: "I’m sorry. I’m rambling a little bit. I’m kind of flustered because I can’t believe we took this ‘L’ like this."

The Colts lost their first home game to the Texans ever, against Brandon Weeden. They will officially have a non-winning season for the first time since 2011, the first of the Andrew Luck era. It was a loss that epitomized all of the unprepared, undisciplined and untalented themes of this season. 

And ultimately, it will likely be this team's long-term undoing. 

Head coach Chuck Pagano's job is all but gone. General manager Ryan Grigson is, at the very least, in hot water.

The Colts' team of Pagano, Grigson and Luck has come to a whimpering end. Sure, there are two more games left this season, but it's just formality at this point. 

According to ESPN's Sharon Katz, the organization's Football Power Index has the Texans with an 86 percent chance to win the division after Sunday's win. 

The Colts could still possibly win the division, but it would mean winning in each of the next two weeks, with Houston losing each of the next two weeks. Or it would mean the Colts winning out and Texans losing a game, although that would likely mean that the Colts' victory would need to be their Week 17 win over Tennessee. Or the Colts could get lucky in some strength-of-victory formulas. 

But let's boil it down to a number: The Colts have less than a 14 percent chance to win the division. Even if a miracle happens, is there any confidence that this team will pose any threat in the playoffs? 

Imagine this team playing the Steelers again, or even the Chiefs, winners of eight straight. 

This is not the Colts' year. It's been ugly, and it's been embarrassing. 

It's time for the Colts to take a hard look into the future. Luck will return, but who else? 

That will be the job of the next general manager and coach duo, whether it includes Grigson or not.

It has been a long time since the Colts' long-term health has been prioritized over the short-term. The Colts have made the playoffs in all but one season since 2001, usually being a contending team in the AFC. 

That time is done, at least for now. 

Now is the time for regrouping. The Colts will likely have one of their best draft positions in years when that time comes, which could be invaluable for infusing a mediocre roster. More importantly, it's time to get Luck back healthy for 2016 and beyond. 

More than anything, that is what these last few weeks have shown us. 

Without Luck, things are ugly, and they are embarrassing.