NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the third season running and the 14th time in 16 years, the Indianapolis Colts are AFC South Champions. This coming after a 17-10 win against the Houston Texans at home in week 15. Houston's hopes for the postseason are now dashed with the Jaguars and Titans remaining near locks for top five picks in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Here's the detailed rundown for all the happenings around the AFC South in Week 15.
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Indianapolis Colts (10-4)
The Colts grabbed an ugly win for the second straight week. Andrew Luck had his most pedestrian numbers of the season with just 187 yards, two touchdowns and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
It was the defense that carried Indianapolis on Sunday, shutting out Houston's offense and forcing two turnovers.
Hakeem Nicks and Dwayne Allen caught Luck's two touchdowns with T.Y. Hilton leading the team in receiving yards with 50. Hilton was forced to leave the game with a hamstring injury that could keep him on the sidelines in Week 16.
Daniel Herron rushed for 60 yards on 11 carries with Trent Richardson adding 32 yards on nine carries.
Week 15 Star – Andrew Luck – QB
Luck gets it by default without a monster performance on the defensive side of the football. Luck has now won the AFC South in each of his first three seasons in the NFL.
Week 16 Matchup – at Dallas Cowboys (10-4) – 3:25 p.m. CT
With the division locked up, the Colts now begin their pursuit of a first round bye on the road against the Dallas Cowboys in week 16.
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Houston Texans (7-7)
Down 17-10 to the Colts, the Texans got the ball back and had a chance to force overtime with 2:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately it was Tom Savage and not Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Fitzpatrick was injured on a two-yard scramble in the second quarter, an injury later revealed as a broken leg that ended the season for the Texans quarterback.
Houston selected Savage in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Rutgers. On the final drive, the Texans got a quick first down before ultimately losing the game on Savage's fourth down interception from his own 39-yard line.
Savage finished his NFL debut with 127 yards on 10 completions, no touchdowns, and the one interception on the team's final drive. The Texans announced on Monday that Savage suffered a knee injury against the Colts and will miss the team's Week 16 matchup along with Fitzpatrick. That means either Case Keenum or Thad Lewis will start for Houston.
Arian Foster was one bright spot on an otherwise anemic day offensively, rushing for 99 yards on 26 carries. DeAndre Hopkins caught only five of his 13 targets, but they did go for a game-high 77 yards.
Week 15 Star – J.J. Watt – DE
Sunday would have been a great day for any other player, but just a ho-hum day for the league's top defender. Watt sacked Luck twice on Sunday, bringing his season total to 16.5. He had four total quarterback hits, six tackles and one pass defensed.
Week 16 Matchup – vs Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – 12:00 p.m. CT
The Texans turn to the role of spoilers, looking to dash the Ravens chances at a berth in the postseason.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)
Josh Scobee's fourth field goal of the first half, a 45-yarder in the final seconds of the second quarter, gave the Jaguars a 12-10 halftime lead in Baltimore, however, Jacksonville's offense was shutout in the second half en route to a 20-12 loss.
Much like the Texans/Colts game, this contest wasn't pretty. Jacksonville got off to a disastrous start when the Ravens blocked a punt on the game's opening possession and returned it for a touchdown.
Blake Bortles threw for 210 yards, no touchdowns and one interception and was sacked five times by the Ravens defense. The rookie has taken a beating this season, being sacked 46 times in just over 10 games of action. The Jaguars announced Monday that Bortles has a foot sprain and is questionable for Thursday night's game against the Titans.
With Denard Robinson on injured reserve, Toby Gerhart regained the starting running back job that was his at the outset of the season. Gerhart ran 13 times for 54 yards. Cecil Shorts and Allen Hurns led Jaguars receivers with 76 yards and 70 yards, respectively.
The numbers on Baltimore's side weren't glamorous either. Joe Flacco threw for 221 yards and Justin Forsett's 48 rushing yards were his lowest total since Week 9 (38 yards vs. Pittsburgh).
Tight end Owen Daniels scored the game's only offensive touchdown on a three-yard pass from Flacco and finished the game with 62 yards on four receptions.
Veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs and rookie defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan both had big days for the Ravens defense with 2.5 sacks and two sacks respectively. Suggs now has at least one sack in eight of the Ravens' last nine games, including each of the last five.
Week 15 Star – Josh Scobee – K
Scobee accounted for all 12 of Jacksonville's points Sunday, connecting on 4-of-5 field goals from 53, 45, 53 and 45 yards. On the season, Scobee is 19-of-24 on field goal attempts. He has made 234 field goals since joining the Jaguars in 2004.
Week 16 Matchup – vs. Tennessee Titans (2-12) – 7:30 p.m. CT – Thursday Night Football
The game will serve as the final prime time game for both teams and will likely decide the third and fourth place finishes in the AFC South.
