Colts clinch AFC South with 17-10 win over Texans

By Michael Marot, Associated Press

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 | 3:02 p.m.

The Colts threw Reggie Wayne the party he had been craving all week — the celebration of another division title.

Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes, Indianapolis' defense clamped down on Houston's short-handed offense and Wayne broke two franchise records as the Colts held on for a 17-10 victory that clinched the AFC South.

Luck was 18 of 34 for 187 yards with one interception as Indy (10-4) won its fourth straight game. The Colts also have won 12 straight against division foes, the longest active streak in the league.

Meanwhile, Wayne broke two of Peyton Manning's franchise records — games played (209) and career wins (142). Afterward, he hugged teammates and Texans before slapping hands with some fans in the stands.

Wayne finished the day with four catches for 24 yards in the Colts' regular season home finale.

But for the Texans (7-7), it was another rugged trip to Indy where they are now 0-13. The offense managed just 289 total yards and one field goal, which came after their best play of the day -- a 25-yard TD run from Arian Foster on fourth-and-1 -- was nullified by a holding call on DeVier Posey. Houston had to settle for a 53-yard field goal that made it 14-10 early in the fourth.

Indy sealed it with a late drive that took 5 minutes, 3 seconds off the clock and was capped by Adam Vinatieri's 29-yard field goal with 2:11 to play.

That wasn't even the worst part for Houston.

Already playing without two starters, receiver Andre Johnson and tight end Garrett Graham, the Texans lost starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick early in the second quarter. He was carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast.

Rookie Tom Savage struggled after throwing for a first down on his first pass. Savage missed his next three throws, was sacked once and missed an exchange with Arian Foster to help set up one of Indy's scores before halftime. Savage finished 10 of 19 with 127 yards and one interception, while Foster ran 26 times for 99 yards.

Luck & the Colts were only marginally better.

Indy's turnover woes resurfaced as a poor throw from Luck was picked off by Kendrick Lewis and run back 27 yards for a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter and Wayne lost a fumble in the second quarter.

But Luck rebounded with a 26-yard TD pass to Hakeem Nicks that tied the score on the first play of the second quarter.

After Wayne's fumble, Savage botched the handoff on the next play and it took Luck only three more plays to find Dwayne Allen for a 3-yard TD pass and a 14-7 lead.

That's all the Colts needed.