Battle For First Place In The AFC South! - Colts Vs Texans Pregame Blog

IT'S GAME NIGHT! We got a Primetime special with the AFC South on the line. The Boys In Blue (6-4) take on the Texans (6-4) at NRG stadium, the home of T.Y. Hilton. Colts fans know this but in case you don't understand, T.Y. owns Houston. 

You might as well change NRG to Hilton stadium until he retires. And guess what? T.Y. is returning after going down with a calf injury against the Broncos. T.Y. has missed 8 games his whole career and the Colts have been 1-7 without him. He's is a difference maker and is going to boost the flow of the offense with Marlon Mack being out due to surgery on his hand. Speaking of Marlon Mack. Let's get right to it with the keys of the game:

1. Confuse the Texans Defense

• Last week was the best run performance all season for the Colts! A total of 225 yards between Marlon Mack and Jonathan Williams. With Marlon out tonight, we will have Williams, Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines running the show against the 12th ranked rushing defense. The Texans held the Colts to only 62 rushing yards, where 44 came from Mack and Cheese. The Texans have a few key injuries including JJ Watt. This is the first time where the Colts are playing the Texans without Jadeveon Clowney or JJ Watt. With T.Y. unofficially active tonight, I think this is a great opportunity to trick the Texans into thinking T.Y will be the star, and design plays for our tight ends and RB's. The Texans pass defense is not great (29th in Passing Yards A Game). Jacoby has an opportunity for another 300 yard day. 

2. Contain Watson

• I hope I don't jinx myself, but I think we our run defense has nothing to worry about. We allowed Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson a combined 69 (mhmm) yards and let Deshaun run for 32 in the last meeting. Denico Autry, Justin Houston, Jabaal Sheard, and our front 7 are all healthy and ready to stop the run but more importantly, contain Watson. Watson has been able to slip away all season and run for a first down or throw it down field. With Pierre Desir returning from an injury, he, Kenny Moore, Rock Ya-Sin and shining star Marvell Tell III will have to lock up Hopkins and Fuller so Darius Leonard can get his sacks and picks.

3. Make Field Goals

• Every point counts. We have struggled and lost games due to missed extra points and field goals. Vinny had a perfect 5/5 game last week which lead to a 20-point win against the Jags. If we hit all of our field goals and extra points, we will most likely win.

Prediction:

This is the biggest game of the year. Both teams are tied for 1st place in the AFC South and it looks like the winner of this game will be crowned AFC South champs, as well as a playoff spot. Texans are -3.5 favorites, but the Colts have won the last 4 of the 5 meetings. I'm going Colts 27 - Texans 21. As always, Go Horse.