COLTS (2-3) VS. TEXANS (3-2)
SUNDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, NRG STADIUM, HOUSTON uTV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
About the Colts: With the threat of falling into a 1-4 hole starting to feel very real, the Colts pulled off another fourth-quarter victory to pull within one game of the Texans in the AFC South. The 29-23 win against the Chicago Bears was a huge sigh of relief for a franchise that was facing serious questions and unrest in Indy. “We needed to get that taste out of our mouth,” QB said. “We needed a win — winning cures all in this league.” Coach
found success by speeding up the tempo of his offense, an approach that helped Luck thrive in finding his favorite downfield targets. If that approach works at Houston, the Colts could capture a share of the AFC South lead and move past their nightmarish start to the season.
About the Texans: One step forward, one giant leap backward. The Texans were off to a 2-0 start before getting embarrassed by the New England Patriots. They improved to 3-1 by beating the Tennessee Titans but took another tumble last week in another blowout loss, this time to the Minnesota Vikings. To prove they deserve a second consecutive AFC South title and should be considered conference contenders, they’ll have to defend their home turf this week. QB has struggled with consistency, but his offensive line hasn’t given him much time to work. The defense has held up fine without DE
but the Colts should pose a serious threat to the Texans’ spotty secondary. “I think this team can be a good football team, but I have to do a much better job,” coach
said. Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has done his best work in the second half of games. Bears RB Jordan Howard ran all over an Indy defense that still can’t find ways to stop the run. Jackson led the Colts with nine tackles in the win against Chicago, but members of the secondary racked up most of the tackles because the stops weren’t being made by the front line. If it continues, expect Miller to gain substantial yardage rushing and receiving.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
No player has wreaked more havoc more consistently over the last three seasons than Hilton. In his last four games, he has alternated between 40-yard and 170-yard performances, drawing around 11 targets in each game. Which version of Hilton shows up at NRG Stadium could be the deciding factor in this game. Houston must stay conservative and stop him at all costs.
Luck has thrown one touchdown pass in the first half of games and seven in the second half. Osweiler, meanwhile, has thrown four of his five scoring passes in the first half.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Winning the turnover margin: In this rivalry, the games usually are won by the team that protects the football best and makes plays on the defensive side. It’s been five years since the winner of this matchup committed more turnovers and still managed to win. Expect that streak to continue Sunday.
2. Physical secondary play: WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller largely were neutralized by Minnesota because the Vikings’ physical cornerbacks manhandled them. If the Colts can replicate that approach, expect Houston to struggle again.
3. Fourth-quarter crunch: The Colts have been effective in the final minutes of fourth quarters since Luck’s arrival, and the Texans have to be ready for it. As long as the Colts have Luck and K no lead is safe.
Jordan Godwin