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Sports

Indianapolis celebrates Pagano's emotional return with 28-16 victory over Texans

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • f2ca1f6c-Texans Colts Football
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    Houston Texans' Andre Johnson (80) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Jerrell Freeman (50), Vontae Davis (23) and Joe Lefeged (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) (The Associated Press)

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    Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton (13) reacts following a 70-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts made Chuck Pagano a winner in his return to the sideline.

Andrew Luck threw for two touchdowns and Deji Karim swung the game with a 101-yard kickoff return in the third quarter, giving the Colts a 28-16 victory over Houston. It was Pagano's first game back as coach since starting treatment for leukemia Sept. 26.

Indianapolis (11-5) heads into the playoffs as the No. 5 seed and on a roll.

Slumping Houston (12-4) won't know its playoff seed until later Sunday. The Texans lost three of their last four games, and J.J. Watt failed to break Michael Strahan's single-season sacks record.

The game swung on two big plays: Karim's kickoff return, which wiped out a 16-14 Houston lead, and Luck's 70-yard TD pass to T.Y. Hilton.

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