In an incredibly unfortunate turn of events for Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans have been given an unparalleled gift from the Football Gods.

Wow. Colts say Andrew Luck has lacerated kidney and abdominal tear. Out 2-6 weeks. — Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) November 10, 2015

Luck, who has already missed two games this season, has been fighting through multiple injuries for most of the year. Whether it was a separated shoulder, cracked ribs, or even an ankle injury, the fourth year signal-caller has done his best to keep Indianapolis atop the beleaguered AFC South. After pulling off a highly improbable win against the formerly undefeated Denver Broncos two days ago, however, Luck’s body finally gave into all of the punishment.

Meanwhile, the Texans have somehow managed to stay neck and neck with the Colts through the first nine weeks of the season despite sustaining several embarrassing losses along the way. In all of its irony, perhaps no defeat was worse than Indianapolis’ seemingly impossible primetime win in Houston despite the Colts' backup quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, not even being able to practice that week due to a terrible flu. Just when it seemed like the Colts started to get everything back on track to once again fulfill their destiny, the universe gave Bill O’Brien one more shot at redemption.

Houston now has to face their toughest challenge of the season in Cincinnati while their greatest rival is weaker than ever. If J.J. Watt and crew can somehow, some way pull off the greatest upset of the week, the Texans may find themselves in a surprising position of power. Despite the blowouts, despite the infighting, and despite all of the vitriol and despair amongst the fan base, the Texans are still in this thing. Three of Indianapolis’ next four games are on the road (at Falcons, vs. Buccaneers, at Steelers, at Jaguars), followed by a massive home showdown with the Texans in Week 15. Meanwhile, Houston gets to face a difficult slate themselves after their road trip to Cincinnati (vs. Jets, vs. Saints, at Bills) that will leave them battle-tested against a bevy of dangerous wild card contenders.

The AFC South may be collectively terrible, but it just became the most wide open division race in the league…again.

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