With a Win on Monday Night, Colts Could Force 3-Way Tie Atop AFC South

Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12), right, shakes hands with Tenessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (4) after the Colts defeated the Titans, 24-17 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12), right, shakes hands with Tenessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (4) after the Colts defeated the Titans, 24-17 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

After the Houston Texans fell to the Green Bay Packers 21-13 on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts could force a 3-way tie atop the AFC South with a win against the New York Jets on Monday night.

Specifically, the Colts, Texans, and Titans could all sit at 6-6 for the division’s lead, as the Titans are on a bye week.

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) scores a touchdown on a keeper during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) scores a touchdown on a keeper during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

With a win next week against the Texans, the Colts could theoretically take the division’s lead with a 7-6 record–assuming the team takes care of business against the Jets (which is far from a given).

However, it’s worth noting that the Texans still have the AFC South’s tie-breaker with a 3-0 divisional record currently, whereas the Colts are 2-2 and can’t even make the entire difference up with a win versus Houston next Sunday. Something that could come into play if the two teams were to end up with a tied overall record to end the season.

While next week is a ‘must-win of all must-wins’ for the Colts, things should get very interesting down the stretch for Indianapolis, who in addition to facing at the Jets and Texans, must also play at Minnesota, at Oakland, and the Jaguars.

Meanwhile, Houston still has to play (besides at the Colts next week) the Jaguars, the Bengals, and at the Titans respectively.

The Titans can’t also be entirely ruled out either, should both the Colts and Texans falter down the stretch.

Whatever the case may be, the AFC South continues to be the gift that keeps on giving as we approach the holiday season, as no team is ever really out of it until the end (unless you’re the hopeless 2-10 Jaguars that is).

Cheers!

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