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Battle of AFC South powers
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The AFC South pretty much has been the province of the Colts and Texans in recent years. Even though Houston fell apart last season, it’s not a big surprise it has emerged as the only challenger to Indianapolis in the division this year.

Thursday night’s meeting in Houston will provide a litmus test for both teams. Whether it offers a close contest is something entirely different, because previous midweek games in 2014 have resulted in routs.

Both teams are 3-2. Indy (No. 7 in the AP Pro32) is a 2 1/2 point favorite over Houston (No. 18).

“I mean it is early, but it is for first place so they’re going to be fighting tooth and nail just like we are for first place in the division,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “I’d rather be, come Thursday at whatever time it will be, 10:30, 11 o’clock, I’d rather be in first than any other place, and then move on from there.”

To take sole possession of the division lead and win their fourth in a row, the Colts need to protect Andrew Luck from J.J. Watt. Houston’s defensive end has been not only dynamic, but perhaps the best player in the NFL so far — on offense or defense.

Watt has sacked Luck four times in his career.

“You do have to keep an eye on where 99 is, he’s a stud,” Luck said. “I hesitate to say you build a whole game plan around him, and I know as a quarterback, you don’t ever want to get too locked in on what one guy on the defense is doing. I think that can get you out of rhythm, the offensive rhythm.

“But I know as a unit we have the utmost respect for him and what he does on the field.”

What the Colts will do on the field is establish their pre-eminence in the AFC South.

COLTS, 23-16

Denver at N.Y. Jets

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Jacksonville at Tennessee

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UPSET SPECIAL: JAGUARS, 17-16

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia

It was tempting to make this the upset special, but we chickened out.

EAGLES, 24-23

Washington at Arizona

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CARDINALS, 22-17

Chicago at Atlanta

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FALCONS, 30-28

Dallas at Seattle

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SEAHAWKS, 26-20

San Francisco at St. Louis,

Monday night

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49ERS, 21-10

Baltimore at Tampa Bay

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RAVENS, 27-17

New England at Buffalo

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PATRIOTS, 23-15

Carolina at Cincinnati

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BENGALS, 24-21

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

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BROWNS, 27-24

San Diego at Oakland

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CHARGERS, 33-16

Green Bay at Miami

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PACKERS, 30-20

Detroit at Minnesota

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VIKINGS, 21-20