Indianapolis Colts clinch playoff berth with win over Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
indianapolis colts clinch playoff berth win kansas city chiefs
Indianapolis Colts clinch playoff berth with win over <m> Kansas City Chiefs </m>
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Indianapolis Colts clinch playoff berth with win over <m> Kansas City Chiefs </m>
December 23 , 2012
Going into week 16 , the Indianapolis Colts controlled their own destiny of making it to post - season play .
The Colts could clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs or a Pittsburgh Steelers loss .
As they have done all season , the Colts refused to let their fate be decided by anyone other than themselves .
The young team fought hard to defeat the Chiefs in another fourth quarter victory , 20 - 13 .
Although they started the game with a three - and - out , the Colts were able to light up the scoreboard first .
Corner back Darius Butler intercepted Brady Quinn for a 32 yard defensive touchdown .
This was Butler's second pick - six of the season , his first against the Jacksonville Jaguars .
The Colts defense was able to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone in the first half .
Throughout the game , the Chiefs defense and running game posed a serious threat to the Colts shot at the playoffs .
The Chiefs rushed for over 350 yards giving their two leading running backs over 100 yards each .
Jamaal Charles rushed for 226 yards while Peyton Hillis added 101 .
Kansas City emerged from the locker room with an extra burst of energy .
Charles kicked off the second half with an 86 yard rushing touchdown .
Despite their intimidating numbers on the ground , the Chiefs were not able to find any consistency in their passing game .
Aside from Charles' second quarter score , Kansas City failed to find themselves in the end zone .
A Ryan Succop field goal tied the game at 13 late in the third quarter .
After failing to convert on a crucial fourth down , the Chiefs gave the Colts possession early in the fourth .
As they have done a number of times in the fourth quarter , the Colts capitalized on this opportunity .
Andrew Luck completed his first and only touchdown pass of the day to Reggie Wayne , putting the Colts up once again .
In the end , the Colts held on to their 20 - 13 lead , winning the game and securing a spot in the playoffs .
The Colts now will end the season with a double digit number in the win column , five times as many as last season .
Indianapolis' head coach Chuck Pagano , is expected to rejoin his team just as they prepare for the post - season .
Pagano has proven to be a source of motivation and inspiration to the Colts this season .
The odds may be stacked against them , the Colts certainly have what it takes to make the unbelievable happen .
They have overcome a number of obstacles this season , far surpassing any expectations placed upon them .
The Colts will face their division rivals , the Houston Texans , at home in Indianapolis for their final game of the regular season .
The Colts were defeated by the Texans in week 14 .
With a clinched playoff berth , the Colts can focus on how they will match up against a playoff - caliber team before Wildcard Weekend .