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Indy's hot streak fuels intrigue around who will draft No. 1

Published: Dec 23, 2011 at 06:33 AM

An inspired win by the Colts on Thursday night has muddied the waters around who will earn the top overall pick in April's draft.

The Colts (2-13) were winless -- hot on the trail of the NFL's worst mark -- before back-to-back victories over the Titans and Texans placed them alongside the Rams (2-12) and Vikings (2-12) with two wins apiece.

How does Indy's late surge affect April's draft order? Here's where we stand heading into Saturday's full slate of games:

» NFL Network's research department confirmed Friday that a Colts loss against the Jaguars in Week 17 will assure Indy (who would fall to 2-14) the top overall pick -- no matter what the Vikings or Rams do -- based on easier strength of schedule.

» If the Colts beat the Jaguars (to go 3-13) and the Rams and Vikings lose out (making them both 2-14), the Vikings would earn the top pick in the draft based on easier strength of schedule.

» The only way the Rams can earn the top pick is by finishing 2-14, with the Colts and Vikings each winning at least three games.

» If all three teams end up 3-13, the Colts would earn the top pick based on easier strength of schedule.

There's now fresh intrigue around Saturday's Rams-Steelers and Vikings-Redskins affairs, two games that could go a long way to crystallizing April's draft order.

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