Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in Colts' Week 6 Contest Against Texans

When the Indianapolis Colts hosted the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, we broke down which key individual matchups they would need to win in order to come away with the "W."

Indy did win those matchups and won the game.

With a share of the division lead now in hand, the Colts have a chance to vault themselves into sole ownership of the AFC South's top spot on Thursday.

Of course, most expect Indianapolis to dominate the division this year. Nevertheless, there's a reason football games aren't decided on paper.

Despite Indy's nine-game winning streak in the division, anything is possible. Here are the key battles the Colts will need to win in order to leave Houston atop the AFC South standings.

Everyone Left in to Block vs. J.J. Watt

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This may be more than a one-on-one matchup, but that's the only way to slow down this one-of-a-kind cyborg turned football player.

Whether it's Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, Ahmad Bradshaw or Trent Richardson, somebody will be helping Gosder Cherilus on every single play.

That's the only way to stop this kind of predator.

Through five games, Watt hasn't produced the kind of gaudy pass-rushing numbers fans have become accustomed to seeing. He has just two sacks thus far.

However, that is not the full story. Watt has reached an all-time peak in versatility, as he has recorded two touchdowns in the early going of the season.

He caught both touchdowns. One from his quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the other from Buffalo Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel. The latter was an 80-yard pick-six.

If the Colts can't keep this Terminator off Andrew Luck, Indy's quarterback won't fare well. If Luck struggles, Skynet and the Houston Texans will prevail.

T.Y. Hilton vs. Johnathan Joseph

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Hilton and Joseph figure to be an excellent matchup, as both players are similarly put together. Both are undersized—Hilton is 5'9", 178 pounds to Joseph's 5'11", 188 pounds—and really on speed to make plays.

However, their seasons have gone rather differently to this point. Hilton is having a very respectable early showing, recording 31 catches for 381 yards to this point. He hasn't scored yet, but Luck has been distributing the ball well, so it's a matter of when—not if—he reaches pay dirt.

On the other hand, Joseph has struggled to slow down nearly every receiver he's had the displeasure of lining up across.

No. 1 receivers are averaging just over 82 receiving yards against the Texans through five weeks. That includes a 30-yard flop from Bills receiver Sammy Watkins. Mike Williams, also of the Bills, did have 84 yards against the Texans, though.

In his four career showdowns against the Texans, Hilton has 22 catches for 388 yards and five touchdowns.

Whether it is Hilton or Reggie Wayne who ends up holding the torch in Week 6, one thing seems clear: The Texans' secondary is covered in gasoline.

Pep Hamilton vs. Himself

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Week 5 marked the first Colts game of the season in which Bradshaw led the team in carries.

In a hilariously face-palm-inducing twist, he lost a fumble late in the fourth quarter which breathed life into the Ravens, sparking one last comeback attempt.

How very Trent Richardson of him.

But it won't be the running back situation that determines Thursday's outcome. Facing a sometimes formidable, sometimes laughable defense in the Texans, Hamilton needs to remember—as always—one thing: "I have Andrew Luck."

Wash, rinse, repeat. Do not forget. Follow these directions at the risk of grave injury.

Whatever helps him remember that No. 12 is taking the snaps, I endorse it.

This may seem a bit odd to harp on, considering the Colts' penchant for passing the ball early and often against the Ravens, but it's hard to forget all the times when the former Stanford man seemingly thought Luck was a game manager.

Does the game against the Philadelphia Eagles come to mind?

In any case, running the Week 5 game plan through the wash and using it again in Week 6 would be the best outcome in this case.

The longer an underdog stays in the game, the more belief it has that it can pull off an upset.

Everyone knows that. Hopefully, Pep does too.