Colts vs. Texans: Biggest Talking Points Surrounding Thursday Night Matchup

It’s Thursday, which can only mean one thing. There’s football on! Week 5 gets underway with an AFC South matchup with the Colts vs. Texans at NRG Stadium (8:25 p.m. ET, CBS), as both teams look to improve on a disappointing start to the season.

Yes, the Colts sit atop the division at 2-2, but both wins were hardly inspiring. They needed the Tennessee Titans to fail on a two-point attempt in Week 3 and Jason Myers to miss a pair of game-winning field goals for the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Texans (1-3) are coming off the back of a 48-21 mauling at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Colts are set to be without Andrew Luck, who hasn’t recovered from the shoulder injury that forced him to miss Sunday’s win, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

"

Colts QB Matt Hasselbeck is starting tonight, per source. No Andrew Luck again.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2015"

Usually, Matt Hasselbeck starting isn’t such terrible news, as Sunday proved, but the 40-year-old isn’t 100 percent healthy himself.

"

Updated: Colts' QB Matt Hassebleck was in emergency room until 2 am TUESDAY, dealing with virus he's still feeling. From hospital to start.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2015"

Still, a virus-affected Hasselbeck is a better option than what the Texans have to offer. Ryan Mallett will start despite a putrid performance against the Falcons. Mallet was 12-of-27 passing for 150 yards and an interception before being benched for Brian Hoyer.

"

Ryan Mallett vs. Matt Hasselbeck tonight. pic.twitter.com/goQeHv081q

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) October 8, 2015"

It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hoyer at some point on Thursday night.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien will have thanked his lucky stars upon hearing the news of Luck’s absence. The 26-year-old has been a thorn in the Texans’ side since entering the league in 2012, winning five of the six games he’s played against Houston and throwing 14 touchdowns in total.

ESPN’s Ed Werder raised a pertinent question about the Colts' quarterback situation.

"

How injured must Andrew Luck's shoulder injury be if #Colts starting 40-yr-old Matt Hasselbeck, sick since Sun and in hospital 36 hours ago?

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) October 8, 2015"

Prior to Sunday’s win, Luck hadn’t missed a single start for the Colts. Though perhaps this is a tactical decision by Chuck Pagano instead of a move purely based on health, as NFL.com’s Conor Orr alluded to:

"

I know Colts can't think this way, but sitting Luck one more week and keeping him away from Watt/Clowney while resting him for Pats...?

— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) October 6, 2015"

That certainly wouldn’t be such a bad idea given that the Colts offensive line has allowed a league-high 68 quarterback hits.

Hasselbeck, you’re in for a rough night.

It will mark a record-breaking night for Indianapolis if Hasselbeck can lead it to a win. The Colts are gunning for a 16th successive divisional win—a run that began against, coincidentally, the Texans in Week 17 of the 2012 season.

"

With win tonight Colts would set a new NFL record for consecutive wins in division (16), breaking a Dolphins mark that’s stood for 42 years.

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 8, 2015"

As the Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer pointed out, the Colts would break a record set by the Dolphins in 1973. That season, Miami won the Super Bowl. An omen, perhaps?

Possibly, but the Colts' schedule is rather grueling. After Thursday’s game, their fixtures read: vs. New England Patriots, vs. New Orleans Saints, at Carolina Panthers, vs. Denver Broncos, at Falcons. Four of those teams have unbeaten records, thus adding extra importance to tonight’s game.

The Texans can probably wave goodbye to the season if they lose tonight. J.J. Watt called the performance against the Falcons “pitiful,” per ESPN’s Tania Ganguli, and NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus wishes HBO could get the cameras out for another week of filming.

"

There should be a Hard Knocks challenge flag, where you can send cameras back for 7 days at any point in season. Good week for Texans.

— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) October 5, 2015"

One key for the Texans will be to stop T.Y. Hilton. As Keefer noted, the Colts wideout loves NRG Stadium.

"

T.Y. Hilton’s last 2 games in Houston: 2013: 7-121-3 TD 2014: 9-223-1 TD Total vs Texans (6 games): 35-661-6 TDs

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 8, 2015"

Hilton has yet to score a touchdown this season, but he has the support of another star receiver, Antonio Brown.

"

Need everyone to RT this to get the energy way up for #TheGhost to get ghost tonight @TYHilton13 !!!!!!

— Antonio Brown (@AntonioBrown84) October 8, 2015"

The key for the Colts (or, more specifically, Frank Gore)? Don’t fumble the ball inside the 5-yard line.

"

Gore. Lost fumble 3rd and goal at 1 vs. Jets. Gore. Lost fumble 2nd and goal at 5 vs. Jax

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 4, 2015"

Many of Gore’s struggles this season—56.8 rushing yards per game, two fumbles—can be attributed to poor offensive line play. Just ask ESPN’s Mark Schlereth.

"

"Horrendous and enough to make you want to vomit." - Mark Schlereth on state of offensive line play in NFL. http://t.co/HCS6PKypKu

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 2, 2015"

“To call them average would be an insult to average.” Ouch.

Hasselbeck and Mallett, the Thursday night stage is yours. There’s every chance we’ll see more sacks and interceptions than points.