Can the Colts still make the playoffs this year?

INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite a wonderful performance from 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers, the Colts defense handed the 49ers a 48-27 victory on Monday Night Football.

Rivers was 23-of-35 for 277 yards with 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and a 97.0 passer rating but the New York Times Playoff Simulator has the Colts' playoff odds down to 2% ... but that means there's still a chance.

How the Colts can make the NFL playoffs

Houston has to lose to the Chargers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. A Texans win gives them 11 on the season and the best the Colts can do is 10, eliminating them before they get to play their Week 17 game vs. Jacksonville on Sunday.

If the Texans lose, the Colts need to beat Jacksonville on Sunday and the Texans in the season finale. The head-to-head, division record, common games and conference record tiebreakers are ties so this goes to the fifth tiebreaker -- strength of victory -- with the Colts holding a slim .442-.438 edge in this scenario.

The New York Times simulator gives the Colts a 45% chance to make the playoffs in this situation.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Can the Colts still make the playoffs this year?