Their years might have started slowly, but that was before dramatic turnarounds
When the Texans and the Colts met Sept. 30, there was no indication that it would be a preview of the most-anticipated first-round playoff game a few months later.
The Texans were an uninspired 0-3, the Colts 1-2. Neither had done much to im-
press. Neither looked much better than the year before, when they both went 4-12.
Things have certainly changed. No teams have been more impressive in turning their seasons around than the Texans and the Colts.
At one point, the Texans were easily the hottest team in the league. They’d turned around their 0-3 start by rattling off nine straight wins. They fizzled a bit since but finished the season strong, easily taking down Jacksonville 20-3 on Sunday to win the AFC South.
The Colts started the season 1-5, but by the time they beat the Titans 33-17 on Sunday, they were the NFL team generating the most buzz. The Colts finished the season with a 10-6 record. One of their wins came a few weeks ago in Houston in a 24-21 decision over the Texans.
Their paths had some similarities — both teams needed major comebacks from injured players, both won several games in the final moments.
They also had their differences — the Colts were working under a new head coach.
The Texans and the Colts overcame obstacles and played impressive football down the stretch. Both are oozing confidence as they head into Saturday’s clash.
“We’re battle-tested and we expect to come out on top,” Texans safety Justin Reid said following the Texans’ win Sunday.
The Texans will be at home for the game. They have their first win of the season — an overtime victory in Indianapolis — to thank for that.
In the game, Colts coach Frank Reich took a gamble on fourth down instead of settling for a tie. Had the game finished in a tie, the Colts would be division champions and this weekend’s game would be at their place.
Reich was, of course, criticized for the play calling in that loss. But the call did show confidence in his team.
Since that point, they’ve become more aggressive and more poised.
The Colts are easily one of the more dangerous teams in the playoffs. Their progress truly is remarkable.
During the offseason, a lot was in flux. They were close to bringing in Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their head coach. So close, in fact, the team sent out a tweet announcing a news conference with him as their new coach.
He spurned the Colts, though, and stayed in New England.
Indianapolis reacted quickly and brought in Reich — fresh off a Super Bowl win as the offensive coordinator for the Eagles.
Reich walked into an interesting situation. His franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck, had no idea if he’d ever be any good at football again. A shoulder injury hampered the star and he missed all of the 2017 season. He’s talked openly about how he thought the injury might have been the end of his football career.
Now, the former Stratford High School superstar isn’t just back in the game. He’s in the MVP conversation after passing for 4,953 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Across the line of scrimmage from Luck on Saturday will be the only other player in the league who has made as remarkable a comeback as him.
J.J. Watt missed the better part of the last two seasons with injuries. This year, the defensive end has 16 sacks and has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the league.
Watt wasn’t the only Texan to return from injury this year. Quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his ACL in a practice last season and missed the final eight games.
Entering the season, the Texans had high expectations.
They had a bright young star in Watson, a veteran defensive unit that has proved it can win and weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, who has risen to become one of the best receivers in the game. Offseason acquisitions like Tyrann Mathieu made the Texans even more attractive.
So when the Texans got off to a rough start, it was a surprise. The Colts’ rough start, not so much.
Regardless of starts, both teams found a way to turn things around and finish strong.
They both defied odds and are now the most closely matched playoff pairing. The Texans are favored slightly, but anyone who watched either game between the two this year knows it could go either way.
The Texans were the hottest team in football. The Colts are now.
One of them will advance Saturday and keep its comeback season alive.