Houston Texans At Indianapolis Colts: Week 14: THREE Bold Predictions
Despite all of the challenges the Houston Texans have faced this season whether it be injuries, lack of execution of the game plan or just plain brain farts, this team is still standing at the top of the AFC South — just barely — with a 6-6 record.
Despite all of the challenges the Houston Texans have faced this season whether it be injuries, lack of execution of the game plan or just plain brain farts, this team is still standing at the top of the AFC South — just barely — with a 6-6 record.
This team is quite talented from top to bottom and you better believe Bill O’Brien is going to have these guys prepared to reach their full potential.
Hopefully.
There are a lot of new moving parts to this roster that have to integrate with the existing ones so it’s going to take some time to see that cohesiveness that we want.
Until then, let’s sit back, relax and enjoy watching this Houston Texans team do work.
The Houston Texans will be facing a Indianapolis Colts team that is fighting hard to take the AFC South crown from us.
For the most part, Andrew Luck is healthy and is leading their team to get back in the hunt.
The Colts, as always, have a lot of holes but Luck seems to make up for those with the stellar quarterback play.
It will be division rival showdown as this game means every bit of something to both teams that will be facing each other.
The Colts’ defense is ranked 29th in terms of yards allowed (382.9 yards per game). They are ranked 28th against the pass (273.3 YPG) and 20th against the run (109.6 YPG).
Their offense is ranked 14th (358.1 YPG).
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s game:
Game Information:
Time: Noon CST
TV: CBS
Radio: 610 AM, 100.3 FM, ESPN Deportes 1180 AM (Spanish), Sirius 136/SiriusXM 382 and XM Internet 812.
Weather: Dome (Lucas Oil Stadium)
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Bold Predictions:
1.) T.Y. Hilton will be limited to under 100 yards receiving.
The Houston Texans have some talent all over their defensive line and we know they’re quite good at the pass rush as I mentioned.
Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, Vince Wilfork and Brian Cushing are all going to be feasting on this opportunity and it’s going to happen.
With the Colts’ offensive line being decent with their run blocking, according to Football Outsiders, the Texans’ defensive-line should be able to force Andrew Luck to hand off the football to Frank Gore more often.
This will also open up the opportunities for our guys in the secondary to contribute to this as well, limiting Luck’s No. 1 target.
2.) Brock Osweiler will not only match but exceed his previous performance against the Colts.
The Texans have morphed Brock Osweiler to a game manager were they keep him on tight leash and run a specific package of plays to get the team downfield.
So yes, it’s possible he won’t throw a pick.
At this point, we know what he is and the coaching staff will to do the utmost to utilize his strengths which can be hard to find at times.
I know Brock is hopefully committed to ensure that he makes better decisions and that starts with taking care of the football.
He’ll be cautious.
I’ll just have to cover my eyes when that happens.
Oh, the humanity!
Osweiler has thrown at least one pick over the past 14 weeks for a total of 13 on the season.
Those rare exceptions were against the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.
We also know that he can escape out of a collapsing pocket if need be and he might have to do that when there’s just not anything there.
Osweiler passed for 269 yards, two touchdowns and one pick in a 26-23 overtime win against the Colts Oct. 16 and there’s no reason to believe why he’s not capable of repeating such a performance.
But let’s keep in mind that he his lackluster play early in that game inspired him to take charge and lead the team to a win.
Let’s hope the same for tomorrow as a large chunk of the fate of this season rests in his hands as well as his throwing arm.
3.) Will Fuller will score a touchdown for the special teams.
As lackluster as the Colts are at defending the run, this will be perfect opportunity for Fuller to outshine his competition.
Fuller has been up-and-down on the injury front as of late — it will be tough to gauge how he’ll be able to get himself back into the ebb-and-flow of things.
But I think he’s due to run for a touchdown off a punt return.
He hasn’t done so since Oct. 2 against the Titans for 67 yards but his opportunity is now and what a way to get his foot in the door as we try to secure of third playoff berth in as many years.
Now I know the Colts’ special teams unit is highly-regarded as one of the best in the league but we all know that they can make mistakes.
It’s just that this time it will be at their expense to get us to the finish line with a win.
Game Score Prediction: 24-21 in a Houston Texans’ win!
Go Texans.