NFL Playoffs 2016: 5 reasons Indianapolis Colts will win AFC South

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Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

4. This is the AFC South, where 9-7 wins division titles

The Colts don’t have to be perfect the rest of the way to win the AFC South. Remember, this is the AFC South, where 8-8 to 9-7 teams usually end up clinching the division. The Jaguars and Titans have never won the division since realignment. It’s been about a decade since either of these AFC South teams have been viable playoff threats.

Houston has won the division three times, mostly in years when the Colts have a great deal of uncertainty at the quarterback position. This is not one of those years because Andrew Luck is at full strength after suffering a lacerated kidney in 2015.

Indianapolis needs to beat the Texans on Sunday to avoid the season sweep. If the Colts wrangle Houston and beat Jaguars at home in Week 17, Indianapolis will be at a comfortable 4-2 in AFC South play. They could have the tiebreaker in divisional play should the Texans and Titans also finish 8-8.

Let’s say that the Colts go 3-1 the rest of the way with a loss to the Raiders in Oakland. A 9-7 regular season record probably clinches the AFC South. Should Indianapolis win out to finish 10-6, they win the division outright. Unless the Colts choke in the last quarter of the 2016, they got this at either 8-8, 9-7, maybe even 10-6.

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