After their 0-13 start to the season it looks as if the Indianapolis Colt were destined for a first round draft pick in 2012 but now they will need to lose in Week 17 to ensure that draft position after winning their last two games.
The “need” for a loss comes after the Colts managed to stun AFC South champions the Houston Texans on Thursday.
If they lose and Jacksonville (2-13) loses the Colts will still receive the top draft pick based on a “strength-of-schedule” tiebreaker.
Also sitting at records of 2-12 are the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings however the Colts’ .547 strength-of-schedule ranking will worsen after playing the 4-10 Jaguars while the Rams currently hold a .587 percentage and the Vikings come in with .587.
On the flip side of the Colts beat Jacksonville and the Rams and Vikings lose their last two games the Colts would not receive the top draft pick. However if they beat the Jaguars and St. Louis and Minnesota also finish 3-13 the draft would still go to Indy.
Minnesota plays Washington (5-9) and Chicago (7-7) while St. Louis plays Pittsburgh (10-4) and San Francisco (11-3).
With their star quarterback in Peyton Manning expected to return next year from his season ending injury the Colts could end up with college footballs top talent and their beloved all-star quarterback, quite possibly turning their fortunes immediately around.
