What a Colts or Texans win today means for AFC South, NFL playoff picture

Billy Heyen

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What a Colts or Texans win today means for AFC South, NFL playoff picture image

The AFC South divisional race will take further shape on Sunday in Week 13.

That's because the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are facing off in a huge game for the NFL playoff picture.

The Colts enter the day at 8-3, coming off a loss.

The Texans have won three in a row and are now 6-5, and they get the jolt provided by the return of quarterback C.J. Stroud from injury.

They currently sandwich the 7-4 Jacksonville Jaguars in the division, with the Jags playing Sunday against the 1-10 Titans.

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Here's what's at stake:

Why the Colts need a win

Indy can maintain its division lead, and an outside shot of the AFC's top seed (Patriots 10-2, Broncos 9-2), with a win.

The Jags seem likely to beat the Titans, so if the Colts lose, those teams would then be tied at 8-4 atop the division, with the Texans at 7-5.

It's also a crowded AFC wild card picture, so the Colts would be well served to just maintain a hold on the division and not have to worry about what happens if they lose a few more games in quick succession.

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Why the Texans need a win

The Texans would fall to 6-6 with a loss, would be tough sledding to get back into things, particularly in the division.

That record would also have them outside the wild card picture (and sharing the same mark as the still dangerous Chiefs).

A Houston win would have them end the day no more than one game back of the division lead.

It would also be proof that the momentum provided by Davis Mills in a three-game win streak wasn't lost with the switch back to Stroud.

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Senior Editor