As the Houston Texans prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts, postseason stakes are high for the Texans, who are keen on maintaining their fifth seed in the playoff standings. A potential loss could allow teams like the Buffalo Bills or Los Angeles Chargers to surpass them, complicating their playoff journey. With hopes of winning the AFC South still alive, the Texans are committed to utilizing their starting players against a struggling Colts team.
Houston’s defense is currently firing on all cylinders, leading the league in fewest points and yards allowed. Conversely, the Colts have hit a rough patch, losing their last six games after a strong start of 8-2, with their offense only managing to score an average of two touchdowns during this losing streak. In their prior encounter, the Colts fell short against the Texans, mustering only 281 net yards in a 20-16 defeat.
Riley Leonard, a sixth-round draft pick, will take the helm for the Colts at quarterback. While he demonstrates mobility, his experience is limited, and he faces a daunting task against one of the NFL’s top defenses. The Texans are allowing an average of just 200 passing yards per game along with a meager 18 touchdowns over the season. Leonard’s previous performance against Jacksonville highlighted his struggles, as he completed 18 of 29 passes for just 145 yards with an interception.
Running back Jonathan Taylor remains a key player despite a tough matchup against Houston’s fourth-ranked run defense. He has previously excelled against the Texans, running for 85 yards on 21 carries in their last meeting and over 100 yards in his last two games at NRG Stadium. With Taylor competing for the rushing title, he brings a sense of urgency and motivation to the game.
Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has recently struggled to make significant contributions, but he has historically been a favored target when Leonard is at quarterback. Leonard’s limited playtime means it’s unclear how well they will connect against a fierce defense. Tight end Tyler Warren’s earlier performances have been inconsistent, and he’s not expected to be a reliable target this week.
Alec Pierce, known for his downfield playmaking ability, may also find this matchup challenging given the quarterback change and strong opponent. Meanwhile, the Colts’ kicker, Blake Grupe, has not provided much confidence, with a scoring slump over the last ten games.
Defensively, the Colts have faced challenges, particularly with injuries. Despite ranking reasonably well in sacks and takeaways, they will likely struggle against a Texans offense that ranks highly in protecting the football. The Colts’ special teams have shown flashes of promise with kickoff returns but have yet to make a significant impact in scoring.
As the Colts seek to end their losing streak and the Texans aim to solidify their playoff position, the game promises to be pivotal for both teams. While the odds may appear stacked against Indianapolis, the unpredictability of the NFL leaves room for surprises, and they will undoubtedly be looking to upset their division rivals and restore some pride.