22 mins ago
by Larry Hawley
DENVER - Before Sunday, the Colts had never won an AFC South title without the help of Peyton Manning.
How ironic, then, that the team would use his help again to win another championship.
Thanks to a victory by Manning's Broncos over the Titans, the Colts have clinched their eighth AFC South title despite losing earlier this afternoon to the Bengals in Cincinnati. It will be the Colts' 11th appearance in the playoffs in 12 seasons and the second straight under head coach Chuck Pagano.
Last season the Colts received the AFC Wild Card, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens in Baltimore in the first round.
With an 8-5 record and two wins over Tennessee, there is no way that the Titans can overtake the Colts with three games remaining in the season. The division championship is the first for the Colts since 2010-Manning's last playing season for the Colts.
This assures that the Colts will host at least one AFC Playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Currently the team holds the fourth seed in the AFC and if the season ended today they would host the Kansas City Chiefs on Wild Card Weekend. Pagano's team will face the Texans at home next Sunday.
Read more: Broncos? win over the Titans give the Colts an AFC South title | Fox 59 News ? fox59.com
