INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen wants to stay focused on the present.
There's still one game left on the 2025 schedule after all, meaning Indy (8-8) still could snap a six-game losing streak and finish above .500.
But after becoming the first team in 30 years to start 8-2 and miss the playoffs, the Colts should use this week to start pondering fixes for next season and a future that likely doesn't include 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers.
No, Steichen doesn't want to be known as the guy who pulled the plug on his longtime friend's 18-year career.
Yet it's a decision he knows he'll have to make.
“I’ll figure that out Tuesday,” Steichen said when asked if Rivers would play in the season finale.
Rivers has been around long enough that he understands the circumstances and will be supportive of whomever plays. Steichen said Monday his conversations with Rivers are ongoing.
The reality is Indy faces much larger questions than how to handle Rivers this week.
The Colts still must determine whether to bring back starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who played at an MVP level before injuring his lower left leg and then suffering a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon in the first matchup against the Jaguars (12-4).
They also may want to get a glimpse into whether Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023, or rookie Riley Leonard fit into their future plans.
There also are health concerns after two Pro Bowlers — defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and cornerback Charvarius Ward — went on injured reserve for the second time this season.
The 31-year-old Buckner has a herniated disk in his neck while the 29-year-old Ward suffered three concussions, the second of which made him contemplate retirement.
And that's just the start. Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard, who has presided over one playoff win and two playoff appearances in his nine-year tenure, barely kept their jobs after missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year last season. Now that the drought has reached five years, some fans are calling for changes.
But with one game left this season, Steichen insists he's not looking beyond this week.
“Not worried. I take it one day at a time," Steichen said when asked about his job. "I’m worried about the Houston Texans coming up this Sunday, that’s all I’m worried about.”
Kickoff returns. Ashton Dulin had been hampered by injuries much of the season, but after being activated off injured reserve last weekend, Dulin delivered. He returned the opening kickoff 53 yards to set up one field goal then added a 56-yarder to set up a go-ahead touchdown after Jacksonville had taken a 14-10 lead. Not enough? Dulin also made a good tackle on punt coverage.
Scoring. Ten games into the season, the Colts were producing historic offensive numbers. But during their second-half collapse, Indy has struggled to score. Four losses during this skid came by six or fewer points, and Indy has failed to top 20 points in seven of its eight losses this season.
Germaine Pratt. Since reuniting with former defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, the veteran linebacker has certainly made quite the impression. He has 96 tackles in 11 games since joining the team and made an acrobatic interception in the end zone to end one of the Jags' scoring chances late in the first half.
Sauce Gardner. The two-time All-Pro cornerback returned to the field after missing the previous three games with a strained hamstring. But he didn't make it through the game. Gardner left in the third quarter after re-injuring the calf, perhaps ending his season.
Aside from Gardner, Indy appeared to make it through the game relatively unscathed. Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. left briefly with a calf injury but returned. LT Bernhard Raimann started and played with an elbow injury. And the offensive line remains the big question mark again this week because center Tanor Bortolini (concussion protocol) and backup guard Dalton Tucker (shoulder) sat out Sunday.
Six —The Colts became the sixth team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to miss the postseason after starting 8-2, the first since the 1995 Oakland Raiders.
The Colts visit the two-time defending AFC South champions, one week after the Texans eliminated Indy from the playoff mix with last Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Germaine Pratt (53) intercepts a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers, left, is sacked by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker, left, as defensive end Dawuane Smoot, right, gets in on the play during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Host nation Morocco and South Africa advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations’ knockout stage on Monday, when Egypt star Mohamed Salah got a rest with his team already through.
Morocco made sure of its place in the last 16 with a 3-0 rout of Zambia. The hosts topped Group A to stay on course for having all their knockout games in Rabat’s near 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will also stage the final on Jan. 18.
Results in Group A, where Comoros finished third with two points, and Group B, where Angola also finished third with two points, prompted celebrations elsewhere. That's because teams with more than two points and already assured of at least third place in their groups have reached the last 16.
The four best third-placed teams from the six groups progress, along with the top two in each.
It means 2021 winner Senegal and Congo are through ahead of their final games in Group D, and defending champion Ivory Coast and five-time winner Cameroon are through from Group F.
This time there were only cheers, after Morocco fans had whistled the team during its previous game, prompting a rebuke from team captain Achraf Hakimi on Sunday.
Ayoub El Kaabi headed the opener in the ninth minute, Brahim Díaz swept the second inside the left post in the 27th, and El Kaabi made sure of the win in the 50th with a spectacular bicycle kick – his second of the tournament.
An offside flag added to the drama as the goal was ruled out and then allowed after a VAR check confirmed El Kaabi was onside, setting off more joyous celebrations among the vast majority of fans in the stadium.
They had further reason to cheer when Hakimi went on as a substitute in the 64th for his first appearance since recovering from an ankle injury. Hakimi drew a brilliant save from Willard Mwanza on an otherwise perfect comeback.
The African Footballer of the Year will likely start on Sunday, when Morocco will play one of the third-placed finishers from Groups C, D or E, the first of what the home fans hope will be four wins to lift the title.
Mali’s 0-0 draw with Comoros was enough to finish second in Group A with three draws. Mali midfielder Amadou Haidara was sent off late.
“If we keep playing like this, we won't stay long in the tournament,” Mali coach Tom Sainfiet said.
The Eagles will play the second-placed finisher in Group D in Casablanca on Saturday, possibly Congo.
Oswin Appollis fired South Africa into the last 16 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Zimbabwe.
The Bafana Bafana progressed in second place in Group B, behind Egypt, which drew 0-0 with Angola in Agadir. Both final group games were played at the same time.
With his team already through, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan rested his regulars including Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Trézéguet. They’re set to return for the Pharaohs’ first knockout game, also in Agadir, against a third-place finisher from Groups A, C or D on Jan. 5.
"Regardless of who we face, we are ready,” Hassan said.
South Africa needed a win in Marrakech to be sure of progress without relying on a favor from Egypt. But Zimbabwe twice came from behind and pushed for an equalizer late on.
“We repeated the same mistakes as in previous games – poor passing and bad positioning,” said South Africa coach Hugo Broos, who has complained about the lack of an ”AFCON vibe" at the tournament.
South Africa awaits results in Group F as it will play the second-placed finisher from that group – Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique – on Sunday.
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi comes on during the second half of the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Morocco's fans celebrate during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Angola's Beni Mukendi and Egypt's Mahmoud Saber compete for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Egypt's head coach Hossam Hassan during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Angola's Gelson Dala, right, controls the ball past Egypt's Ahmed Zizo during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Angola's Gelson Dala, right, kicks the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah, center, smiles as he sits on the bench ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Angola and Egypt in Agadir, Morocco, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
