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          Colts' victory over Packers shows they can make run at playoffs

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          Colts expect to catch Texans in divisional race (0:32)

          ESPN Colts reporter Mike Wells says that the team is headed into a bye week with a smile on their faces after defeating the Packers 31-26. He spoke with some players after the game who feel as if they're back in the divisional race. (0:32)

          GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For the Indianapolis Colts, it wasn't simply about beating the Green Bay Packers.

          It was bigger than that. It was about salvaging their season, one that's been completely off track since it started nine weeks ago.

          The Colts put together the type of performance in every facet of the game at Lambeau Field that makes you think they can string together victories and get back on track. The result: a 31-26 win on Sunday over the Pack.

          Indianapolis heads into the bye with a 4-5 record and a chance to get back in the AFC South race, especially since the Colts play all three division opponents at home in their final seven games.

          "Yes, 100 percent [we needed the victory]," quarterback Andrew Luck said. "I probably wouldn't have said that before the game, but now, we did, we needed it. We needed it for ourselves, I think. We know we can be a good team. There's things we have to clean up and we have to stack these together."

          If there's been a way for the Colts to lose this season, it has happened. Falling behind early. Collapsing late. Being beaten in all facets from start to finish.

          The Colts barely avoided collapsing late again. They had an 18-point lead with 9:35 left when Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led his team to two quick scores to get within five points with more than three minutes remaining.

          But Luck came up with two big third-down completions to seal the game. Luck shook off one Packers pass-rusher and avoided another to complete a 20-yard pass to tight end Jack Doyle. Then on third-and-2, Luck took his shot down the field and completed a 27-yard pass to T.Y. Hilton. The Packers blitzed on all four of Luck's pass attempts on that final drive in which he completed three passes.

          Luck's performance late helped erase his two first-half interceptions.

          "He's a beast," running back Frank Gore said. "That's Luck. He's a football player. I'm happy to be playing with him."

          Quality victories over playoff-quality opponents is something the Colts didn't have on their resume so far this season. Sunday's victory is arguably their biggest one since beating Denver, which was undefeated at the time, in Week 9 during the 2015 season.

          "You look at the wins [the Packers] had and the losses they've taken, they've lost to some very good teams and beaten teams that have fiddled around like us," tight end Dwayne Allen said. "It was really good to come in focused and everyone executed the game plan."

          Jordan Todman's 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the contest started what turned out to be the Colts' best all-around game of the season.

          Luck completed passes to nine players and finished 23-of-36 for 281 yards and a touchdown. And despite Rodgers throwing for 297 yards, the Colts did a good job of containing him. Most of his passing yards came when Green Bay was scrambling to get back in the game.

          "I guess we were due for it," linebacker Robert Mathis said. "We would still like to defensively close them, but at the same time, we're talking about Aaron. He's not going to just lay down and just up the game. I was proud of the effort. It's something we can really build on."