Texans vs. Colts: What Are Experts Saying About Indianapolis?
As the Indianapolis Colts take on the Houston Texans this week, there's plenty of intrigue on the table.
From playoff positioning to playoff survival, Watt vs. Luck and the injury situations of both teams, there's no shortage of things to talk about—especially when you consider the first matchup between these two teams this season.
The Colts boast a 5-2 record at home this season, losing only to division leaders in the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. Houston has been better on the road this year than at home, sporting a 4-3 road record to date.
A win by Indy locks it in as the 2014 AFC South champions. A Houston win keeps the Texans alive in the division race and improves their chances to grab a wild-card position in the AFC.
So, what are the experts looking for in this one?
Mike Sando: Colts Have to Be Favorites Here
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ESPN's Mike Sando gave some insight into just how dominant the Colts have been over the AFC South:
"Indy has won its last 11 division games... that's the longest such streak in the league. Denver and Philly are next with five division victories in a row a piece. Colts are 21-4 all time against the Texans. They've had decent quarterbacks on their side for just about all of those games.
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Sando also imparts during the interview that the Colts are favored by five points, and why shouldn't they be?
Better record, better quarterback, playing at home: What else is there?
Teams without quality quarterbacks cannot win consistently in the modern NFL. This Sunday that will be evident as Andrew Luck shows why he's one of the brightest young talents in the league.
Tania Ganguli: Texans Will Have to Be Physical with Hilton
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As ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli noted in an article this week, T.Y. Hilton has been an enormous thorn in the Texans' side:
"T.Y. Hilton seemed unstoppable against the Houston Texans in October. He had one of the best games any receiver has had against the Texans and it wasn't an outlier. Hilton has touchdown catches of 61, 70 and 59 yards against Houston. He has 611 yards and six touchdowns in his five games against Houston.
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No matter how you slice it, Hilton has ruined the Texans' defensive game plans consistently since joining the Colts in 2012.
He currently sits at third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,295. So what are the Texans planning to do to stop him from running wild this time?
Said Texans' corner Johnathan Joseph, per Ganguli, "You have to be physical with him. You have to make him earn it. Obviously he's going to make his catches, but you have to make it a long day for him."
This strategy has worked before for teams, but it's eluded Houston up to now. If Houston can't get Hilton out of his game, it could be another disaster for the Texans' defensive backfield.
Alan Ferguson: Colts Have Been a Turnover Machine
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No matter what their record says, the Colts have been anything but careful with the ball. I'll let Yahoo Sports' Alan Ferguson and coach Chuck Pagano take it from here:
"In the past three weeks, Indianapolis has lost seven of 13 fumbles and had three passes picked off. The team has a minus-4 turnover margin, and only Kansas City (minus-5) and Philadelphia (minus-6) have worse marks among clubs with winning records.
'We've got to get it cleaned up,' coach Chuck Pagano said. 'You credit the opponent for stripping the ball and making plays, but it's still no excuse. ... We've got to get it cleaned up, period.'
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You can live with three interceptions in three weeks. It's not ideal, sure, but it's only three games. Where the incredulous expressions and elevated heart rates come into play is with the 13—THIRTEEN!!!—fumbles in three games.
THIRTEEN FUMBLES IN THREE GAMES.
Has that ever happened before? Probably, but that's beyond the point.
If the Colts should have learned anything the past year-and-a-half, it's that turnovers against elite teams equal losses. Nobody should know that better than Luck, who threw both the ball—multiple times—and the game to the New England Patriots in the playoffs last season.
Bottom line: Figure it out, or get ready for another early trip home in January.
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Marty Gitlin: Vontae Davis a Go for Sunday
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Despite Vontae Davis' absence from the Colts' Week 14 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, superstar wideout Josh Gordon managed only two catches for 15 yards.
I didn't see that one coming.
But according to CBSSports.com's Marty Gitlin, that's not something the Colts will have to count on again this weekend:
"What was hoped for has become a reality for the Colts—talented cornerback Vontae Davis returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Week 14 clash in Cleveland with a concussion. Davis should be fine for the Sunday game against visiting Houston.
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That's a relief.
Even though Texans receiver Andre Johnson is a question mark for the game, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, Davis' talents will still be heavily relied on to cover emerging star DeAndre Hopkins, who currently ranks ninth in the NFL in receiving yards.
Let's hope he's up to it.
Stephen Holder: Jadeveon Clowney Faces a Difficult Road Ahead
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Stephen Holder of IndyStar.com caught up with Colts tackle Gosder Cherilus to talk about Jadeveon Clowney's road ahead. The first overall pick in the 2014 draft underwent microfracture surgery on his knee after a first season wrought with injury, sickness and overall lack of being on the field.
Not familiar with microfracture surgery?
"The surgery is intended to repair damaged knee cartilage in the area where bones meet. A tool is used to make small holes in the bone in an effort to promote the growth of new cartilage.
It's a common surgery for the general public, but it presents major obstacles for the elite athlete. History is littered with those who tried to come back from the surgery and failed (running back Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston are notable exceptions).
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That doesn't sound so bad, right? What does a professional athlete say about it, though?
"He's screwed," Cherilus, the Colts' starting right tackle said of Clowney. "His game is all about explosion. That's a problem."
Oh, well it can't be that bad, right? After all. Cherilus returned after having the surgery in 2010.
"I'm out there dancing. I'm an offensive lineman. That's a different ballgame. He's screwed. I'm just being honest... The doctor said, 'I'd be surprised if you ever play again' Cherilus recalled. "I was like, 'My God.' But I gave it a try. We did rehab for nine straight months. Three to five hours in the morning and then I'd come back and do some more later. Think about that.
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I can't help but feel sorry for the guy, really. He has barely seen the field at all since being drafted in the top slot, and now he may never get a chance to display the very explosiveness he was heralded for in the first place. Is there a chance he comes back? Sure.
After all, Clowney's only 21 years old. That youth can go a long way to start, but he'll need something else to make the miraculous recovery the Texans will surely be hoping for.
"He has to be fully, fully committed," Cherilus said.
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