Colts

The Colts faced a tough defeat against the Giants in Week 17, marking their first home win of the season and officially ending Indianapolis’ playoff hopes. Former Colts punter and current ESPN host Pat McAfee criticized the team’s culture, asserting that their problems stemmed from issues with their mental toughness.

“In the biggest moments, everyone with common sense knew they would crack… and they did,” McAfee shared on social media. “A blind person could see the red flags on this team. Questions about work ethic, preparation, punctuality for meetings, and treatment skip-outs—these are indicators that simply don’t occur on successful teams. The franchise QB tapped out during a key moment… on 3rd down… in the red zone… because he was tired. That has never happened in NFL history.”

“When I declared Joe Flacco gave us a better chance to win than [Anthony Richardson] right after that tap-out, I would have said that about any backup QB on the roster. That cannot be the face of your team. It’s a larger issue and indicates a culture problem. It reflects a loser mentality permeating a franchise that was once built by greatness.”

• According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, there have been whispers about potential changes in the Colts’ front office, although no definitive update regarding GM Chris Ballard’s position has emerged.

Texans

On Christmas, the Texans experienced a harsh 31-2 loss to Baltimore, raising concerns about their playoff preparedness. However, left guard Tytus Howard remains optimistic, attributing their struggles to self-inflicted errors that he believes can be rectified.

“I’m not concerned,” Howard stated in a report by KPRC’s Aaron Wilson. “This team is resilient. I know our capabilities. We just need to execute. I’m confident that we can compete with any top team; consistency is key. We simply didn’t perform well enough, both offensively and defensively.”

“We were our own worst enemy in that game. We made errors that put us in unfavorable situations. The other teams aren’t necessarily overpowering us; it comes down to being detail-oriented and introspective.”

Wide Receiver John Metchie believes the Texans possess all the necessary tools for a successful playoff campaign.

“I don’t think there’s any comparison between us and other teams,” Metchie remarked. “We have the talent, coaching, and resources to be a great team. Our focus must remain on self-improvement and meticulous attention to detail.”

Titans

• Titans head coach Brian Callahan reported positive discussions with owner Amy Adams Strunk, emphasizing his commitment to his role until notified otherwise. (Jim Wyatt)
• Callahan also refrained from committing to QB Mason Rudolph as the starting bridge for the 2025 season. (Terry McCormick)