Indianapolis Colts Could Still Lose the Division Because of Their Offensive Line

At 9-4 the Indianapolis Colts are one of a handful of teams that a shot at clinching their division this weekend. There is every reason to think they will too. They have never lost to the Texans at home and have really owned Houston since the team's inaugural season.

However, there are certain factors working in favor of a Texans upset--like the Colts offensive line.

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Indianapolis will go as far as Andrew Luck can carry them. To stop the Colts you have to keep the ball out of his hands of if he does have it knock it out. Of course to knock the ball out of his hands you have to get to him. That has not been very hard.

Yes, the Colts are one of the best when it comes to sacks with only 24 allowed at this point in the season, but if Luck was not as mobile as he is that number would be a lot higher. Since he is his sack numbers are pretty low, but no quarterback has been hit as much as him.

Tampa Bay and Jacksonville have allowed more, but they have played multiple quarterbacks.

The line did not do too bad of a job against Houston the first time out with eight hits and three sacks, but the team has been decimated with injuries at the position. As a result last week against the Browns they gave up three more sacks, but Luck was hit 13 times.

If Houston is going to win they are going to have disrupt Luck. With the line that the Colts have now that should not be a problem. Tack on the turnover woes that Indianapolis has had of late (seven lost fumbles and three interceptions in the last three games), and it would not be a shock if an opportunistic Texans defense was to lead Houston to its first win in Indianapolis.

Should a Dallas defense have similar luck against the Colts and the Texans pull out a win against Baltimore both teams will have a 9-6 record going in to the final week of the season.

Now for the Colts to lose the division they have to lose to the Tennessee Titans as well. Should the two teams end the season with the same record the Colts will win the tie-breaker (common opponents). With the Titans offense struggling this would be hard to see.

But if the offensive line can't protect Luck...

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