Texans Visit Colts For Their Biggest Divisional Game Ever

This weekend's clash against the Colts may just be the biggest game in Houston Texans history.

Now, when the biggest game in team history comes in week 9 of the regular season, it probably says more about the team history than it does about the game, but for Houston fans this is the first time since Warren Moon donned Columbia Blue that the team is playing a game that legitimately may mean more than personal pride.

The Texans have ridden an explosive offense and an improved defense to three consecutive victories and are in position to solidify their standing in the playoff race if they can win this weekend at Indianapolis.

Piece of cake, right?

I mean, Indianapolis is only 7-0 with a quarterback who may end up going down as the best to ever play the game, and who is playing possibly the best football of his career.

And who cares if the Texans have never won in Indianapolis and have only ever beaten the Colts once—a three point victory in December of 2006.

This is a different Texans team and there's got to be a first time for everything doesn't there?

The truth is, regardless of history, the Texans are in better position both in the standings and with respect to ending their Indianapolis drought than at any other point in franchise history.

But they'll still be facing long odds this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The discussion of any game against the Colts must start with Peyton Manning.

Manning has absolutely dominated the Texans in their short history and the Texans' secondary, while improved, still causes fans to collectively hold their breath every time an opposing quarterback drops back to pass.

The Texans currently rank 23 in passing yards allowed, even though they've only faced two quarterbacks who rank in the top 20 in quarterback rating (Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner).

The silver lining here is that against both Arizona and Cincinnati, they were able to make half time adjustments and shut down both offenses after half time.

Against Indianapolis, however, that may end up being too little too late.

Manning ranks among the league leaders in just about every passing category despite losing one of his most reliable receivers in the off-season, losing his number two receiver in the first week of the season, and having already gone through his bye week.

Part of the reason for Manning's gaudy stats, however, is the lack of support he has gotten from his running game as he's on track to set new personal highs in pass attempts and completions.

Joseph Addai has struggled this season as his best play was last weekend when he was doing his best Peyton Manning impersonation.

Rookie Donald Brown has looked good in limited duty so far, but he missed last week's game against San Francisco with a shoulder injury, although he should return this week.  How much playing time he gets, however, will be a question as he has only been getting a handful of carries each game.

The Texans have employed an aggressive defensive scheme so far this season which could end up being dangerous this weekend as Manning is famous for his quick decision making.  He's only been sacked five times this season—three of them coming last week against the 49ers—and it's mostly a tribute to his ability to get the ball out quickly.

Unlike in previous meetings, however, the Texans will counter this week with an offense nearly as lethal as the Colts.

Matt Schaub is becoming one of the elite quarterbacks in the country and has a bevy of weapons at his disposal.

Even with the loss of Owen Daniels, the team still has arguably the best wide receiver corps in the league led by the unstoppable Andre Johnson. 

Kevin Walter can run precise routes and has reliable hands, and even Jacoby Jones is quietly becoming a serious down-field threat.

The Colts have a good defensive backfield led by Bob Sanders, but since the Jets in week one, no team has successfully stopped this offense from producing.

The real key here is going to lie in the trenches.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are probably the best pair of rushing ends in football, and if they can put pressure on Schaub, they may be able to disrupt the passing game and force a few turnovers.

The Texans can help themselves by running the ball.  The Colts are only middle of the pack in run defense and if the Texans can figure out how to distribute the ball and not fumble, they might be able to control the clock and slow the pass rush.

Perhaps Houston's best place to look for inspiration, however, is in last year's games against the Colts.

While the Texans lost both games, they were in position to potentially win both before Sage Rosenfels ended both threats with turnovers.

This year, there will be no Rosencopter and no late game interceptions, so if the Texans can play like they did last year, they should at least have a chance to pull this out.

If they can, then the biggest game in franchise history may just be later this season.