Texans vs. Colts
Texans
This may be one, if not THE, most frustrating teams to watch every Sunday. I pity the fans in Houston (they have fans, still, right?). To see their team’s offensive line get shredded every week or watch their running back rush for ONE yard per carry must be horrible. With all the talent already in place from a year ago, you’d think they’d be able to concentrate on bringing in a good group of offensive linemen. They brought in many new faces, so maybe it will start to mesh sooner than later, but it’s already week four. The good thing is that the division is still within reach.
Can Watson have a great first drive?
It’s a very small portion to the entire game, but it is maybe the most important part of the day for a struggling team. Picture an 0-3 team coming into this one and going three-n-out – it sets a tone for the rest of the game. Obviously a play here, a play there can change everything, but if that first drive ends in a touchdown, that’s a huge boost and adds positive feedback for the next possession. They need to have more faith in the run-game and keep the defense honest. QB Deshaun Watson needs to go through his reads a lot faster and quit holding the ball forever – trust WR DeAndre Hopkins to help you out, at least. Hopkins is a little banged up, but he should be able to go Sunday. They will be in a dome, so this bodes well for both Hopkins and Will Fuller V, who are some of the fastest receivers in the game. Watson has throw his receivers open and trust his playmakers to beat the Colts’ corners. If he gets hot quickly, this should make running and the play-action more viable options.
Can this defense rise to the occasion?
The occasion: dominating the Colts at the line of scrimmage forcing QB Andrew Luck into horrible decisions. This team badly needs some big time plays from the defensive side of the ball. An early sack of Luck could help swing the momentum for good. We know ‘Lieutenant’ Luck is always good for an interception or two, so that trend favors Houston if they can maintain pressure up front.
-Joe Hanretty
Colts
Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis is likely to play host to one of two scenarios. 1) A common sight since the formation of the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts will defend their home turf by way of an exciting passing attack. 2) The more recent option is a stout performance from the Houston defense complemented by a strong rushing and short-to-intermediate passing attack.
Can T.Y. Hilton do it again?
I am among the biggest doubters of T.Y. Hilton. His contract could have been better spent elsewhere, except for his annual showing out against the Texans. Fitting data to a specific belief, here are Hilton’s top performances each year versus Houston.
- 2012: 4 receptions, 111 yards and 1 touchdown.
- 2013: 7 receptions, 121 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- 2014: 9 receptions, 223 yards and 1 touchdown.
- 2015: 5 receptions, 88 yards.
- 2016: 9 receptions, 115 yards and 1 touchdown.
- 2017: 5 receptions, 175 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Despite the optimism, Hilton has seen difficult showings on his off days the past three seasons. Those performances combining to 9 receptions and 20 targets for 92 yards. Houston’s defense has performed worse through each week of the season thus far. Andrew Luck has demonstrated his faith in his favorite option, targeting him 32 times on the season.
How will Andrew Luck fair?
An initial look at Luck’s five sacks this season can be misleading. A number that seems slightly bolstered even with the failed last play of the game in Philadelphia, the face of the franchise has been hit 23 times through three weeks. Frank Reich’s offense and play calling has been questionable at times, but there is no question the team is steering away from the slow-developing passes of the Chuck Pagano regime. Injuries have limited the offense through the first few weeks, but inconsistency from Luck’s decision making and playmaking from his weapons have resulted in a passing attack ranked in the bottom third.
Luck has typically posted fair numbers against this Houston front, but rarely have they been all that impressive for a player of his skill. The Texans delivered a strong outing in Week 2, but surrendered yardage and scores the other two weeks. Without his left tackle Anthony Castonzo yet again, plus the absence of Jack Doyle and likely Marlon Mack, the offense will again be limited. Teams starting Luck should find decent enough production, but these rosters should also have an eye on the waivers for quarterbacks with greater consistency.
Is Jordan Wilkins the real deal? Or is it Nyheim Hines?
It’s only Week 4 and we’re talking about the Colts’ fifth-round pick who has totaled a whopping 120 yards on the year. Mack, even if available, is still struggling with the hamstring injury that popped up in the preseason. The result is a two-man, rookie committee between Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines. Hines commanded the majority of playing time last week with 43 snaps to Wilkins’ 17. However, his advantage translated to just two more opportunities than his counterpart. Wilkins has looked like the better back on a more consistent basis, but this Indianapolis team has again struggled to find a rushing attack.
Houston’s defense has performed mediocrely versus running backs thus far, and the clock is ticking for these backs, specifically Wilkins. Veteran Robert Turbin returns from his suspension next week, and his return likely means the majority of short-yardage attempts. Wilkins and Hines are RB2/FLEX option for desperate owners looking to replace bye week names: Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, and Christian McCaffrey. Far from safe plays, there’s a lot on the line for these rookies.
-Michael Collins
Start Golloday or Tate this week? Cowboys are awesome against the slot, but Sean Lee is out and Tate is safer……