Chuck Pagano: 'Donald Brown earned starting chance'

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has revealed that Donald Brown's good form was the reason he started ahead of Trent Richardson on Sunday.

Brown received more carries than Richardson - whom the Colts traded their 2014 first-round Draft pick earlier this season - in their win over the Tennessee Titans.

"We just felt [Brown] earned the opportunity," Pagano told the Indianapolis Star.

"Donnie earned the opportunity the way he was working and running the football. Felt like, we're still going to use two backs, but [Brown] earned the opportunity."

The Colts are 8-4 in their season after week 13 and can secure a playoff spot next week if they win their next game and the Titans lose.