Texans vs. Colts: 10 Bold Predictions for Monday Night Football Showdown

Texans vs. Colts tonight is just one part of a huge sports night as the game will determine who is the leader of the AFC South going into the second half of the season.

It's a Week 1 rematch and the Colts are looking to get revenge for a Week 1 defeat in which Arian Foster ran all over them en route to the victory. Indianapolis normally does well against Houston and are hosting this clash, so it will be interesting to see how the Texans respond to the bright lights of national television.

Inside are 10 bold predictions for tonight's game including the winner. Agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comments box.

No. 10: Mario Williams Gets To Manning Often

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Defensive end Mario Wiliiams of the Houston Texans tries to get the crowd into the game against the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Mario Williams was drafted in the same year as Vince Young and Reggie Bush, but he doesn't get nearly as much attention as those two.

Williams has turned into a good pro and has shown that's he's worthy of being drafted #1 overall and I think with the way the Colts' offensive line has performed below it's normally high standards, that Williams will get some shots in on Manning.

Watch him on the edges tonight, it's going to be a war.

No. 9: Low Scoring Game

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 17: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans reals in an eight yard reception as he beats cornerback safety Eric Berry #29 onn the play at Reliant Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Houston, Texas.Houston won 35-31. (Photo by Bob Levey/Gett

With the type of offensive firepower between the two teams—not to mention the lack of defense between the two teams—you may be looking forward to a shootout in this game.

Not so fast. It's two division rivals and they know each other all too well. I think these teams will be ready for one another, especially coming off of a bye week. It's the AFC South, it's going to be physical and it's going to be nasty.

It's going to be a dandy, but not as high scoring as you'd think.

No. 8: Jacoby Jones Makes a Big Play

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Jacoby Jones #12 of the Houston Texans can't hold onto a pass defended by Reed Doughty #37 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins 30-27 in overtime.

With all the attention on Andre Johnson and Arian Foster get when the Texans are on offense, it's going to create room for the other players to make big plays.

Enter Jacoby Jones, a speedster who can find the seams on the defense and make big plays down the field. I think he's going to find himself open down the field at least once where Matt Schaub will hit him for a big gain.

It won't happen all day, but once is all he needs.

No. 7: Matt Schaub Struggles

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houton Texans scrambles out of the pocket as he looks for a receiver agasint the Kasnas City Chiefs at Reliant Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Matt Schaub is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL but he's also struggled at times this year and I think this is one of those weeks.

The Colts may not be at 100 percent and are without Bob Sanders, but they're still a team of savvy veterans who know how to get the job done. With an extra week to prepare the Colts will be ready to go once the game starts.

I can see Schaub throwing a couple of picks.

No. 6: Donald Brown Has A Big Day

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Donald Brown #31 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13. (Photo by Doug Pens

The Indianapolis Colts are one of those teams that no matter who goes down, they'll just plug another person in and they're ready to go.

Joseph Addai goes down? No problem, here comes Donald Brown. Brown is going to find room to run as the Texans back up to try and protect against the pass. He'll be able to pick up chunks of yards and help open up the pass.

Don't forget Mike Hart either. He'll spell Brown and make plays.

No. 5: Pierre Garcon Gets Most of the Targets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Pierre Garcon #85 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the football against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

You'd think with Austin Collie and Dallas Clark going down with injuries that Reggie Wayne would get most of the looks in the passing game.

However, I'm looking for Pierre Garcon to get a lot of looks tonight for Indianapolis. When you make grabs like his one-handed catch against Washington, Peyton Manning will trust you to make the grab.

He'll find the end zone at least once.

No. 4: Peyton Manning Is Less Effective

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

It's hard to stop Peyton Manning. In fact, it's probably impossible. But I think Houston will be able to slow him down tonight.

Manning threw all over them in Week 1 but he threw until his shoulder almost fell off. I think that after looking at tape on Manning and his group of receivers and backs, that Houston will be able to cause some problems for Manning.

It won't be easy, but I think they'll get the job done.

No. 3: Jacob Tamme Has A Big Day

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INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Tamme #84 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Dallas Clark has been lost for the season, but don't look now, here comes Jacob Tamme.

It just feels right that a player like Tamme would have a big game for the Colts and I think he'll do just that tonight against the Texans. There's been a lot of talk about him heading into this game, so he's going to step up.

Manning will go his way early and it will pay off.

No. 2: Arian Foster Is Slowed Down

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Last time, Arian Foster exploded onto the scene with a monster game against the Colts in Week 1. Now he's going to try and get the same results.

I don't see that happening. The Colts are not going to let Foster embarrass them the way he did in the first matchup. He made Indy look weak and soft, that's a pride thing, and the Colts are too proud to allow that type of performance twice.

Foster won't be awful, but he won't be nearly as great.

No. 1: Colts Take AFC South Lead

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Reggie Wayne #85 celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

I just find it hard to believe that Houston would beat the Colts twice in one season after struggling so much against Indy for the Texans' entire existence.

You don't pick against Peyton Manning in a primetime regular season game, especially at home. Manning is going to get the job done for the Colts tonight. It may not be the prettiest of wins, but he's going to play well and the Colts will take control of the AFC South.

It's going to be a tough division to win and this won't be the end of the race, but it's going to be one heck of a finish to the year.