All the Colts had to do to make the playoffs was beat the hapless 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars. They came into the game as 15.5-point favorites ... and they lost. Now their playoff hopes are on life support.<\/p>\n
Given the circumstances win and they're in, against the worst team in the league it's fair to ask: Is this the worse season-finale loss in NFL history?<\/p>\n
Here are some other possibilities since the NFL went to a 16-game season:<\/p>\n
The 2008 Buccaneers came into their season finale against the 4-11 Raiders needing a win tokeep their playoff hopes alive (and they would've made it in, since Dallas beat Philadelphia). They were 10.5-point favorites, but lost at home 31-24. Tampa Bay led 24-14 with 11:27 to go in the game, but the Raiders scored the last 17 points. Coach Jon Gruden, playing his former team, was fired following the season.<\/p>\n
Updates: Colts are getting blown out by Jaguars<\/p>\n
The 2006 Broncos would've made the playoffs with a win at home against San Francisco (who was 6-9), but lost 26-23 in overtime. Denver tied the game late in the fourth quarter, but the 49ers won with an overtime field goal.<\/p>\n
The Lions could have made the playoffs with a win over the 4-11 Bears. Detroitcame into the game as 10-point favorites at home. Detroit led 10-0 in the first quarter and 17-13 in the fourth.The Bears won, 23-20,on a field goal with two seconds left.<\/p>\n
The next season, the Lions would go 2-14. They wouldn't have a winning season until 2011.<\/p>\n
Follow IndyStar trending sports reporterMatthew VanTryon on Twitter @MVanTryon and email him story ideas at matthew.vantryon@indystar.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read this article:<\/p>\n Did the Colts just suffer the worst season-finale loss in NFL history? - IndyStar<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" All the Colts had to do to make the playoffs was beat the hapless 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars. They came into the game as 15.5-point favorites .. Continue reading