NFL Playoffs: Indianapolis Colts Clinch AFC South

Dec 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (14) is congratulated by tight end Coby Fleener (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (14) is congratulated by tight end Coby Fleener (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts are officially back on top with Andrew Luck, as they clinched the AFC South with their win over the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon. 

For the second straight year, the Indianapolis Colts have established themselves as a force in the AFC, clinching the AFC South for the second year in a row.

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Andrew Luck and the Colts needed a win against the Houston Texans on Sunday to lock up the AFC South and while it wasn’t totally easy, that’s what ended up happening anyways. With the win, Indianapolis moves a step closer to hopefully getting a first round bye, but that’s going to be a lot easier said than done.

The New England Patriots have control over the No. 1 seed at the moment, sitting at 11-3 after their win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The No. 2 seed in the AFC is owned by the Denver Broncos, who with a win over the Chargers would clinch the AFC West and move up to 11-3 and a game ahead of the Colts.

What’s key in all of this is that the Colts lost to both the Broncos and the Patriots in head-to-head matchups this season, meaning they do not own tie breakers over either team. Indianapolis would need the Broncos to lose two more games and/or the Patriots to lose two more games to move into a first-roundbye scenario.

That’s hard to imagine happening, but stranger things have occurred in the NFL and the Colts at least have their foot in the door of the AFC playoffs.

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