Colts vs. Texans: What Are Experts Saying About Indianapolis?
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has many reasons to be excited. Andrew Luck is dominating. The defense has improved considerably, despite losing its best player for the year. The list goes on.
But it all comes back to winning.
As the Colts prepare for their Thursday Night Football clash with the Houston Texans, it has become clear that Indy is a force in the AFC.
Having opened the season with consecutive losses to two of the best teams in the NFL, the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles, the Colts have ripped off three wins in succession, each more impressive than the last.
With Indianapolis on fire and the Texans coming off a rough overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, what are experts discussing ahead of this game?
Zak Keefer: Colts O-Line Suffering
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According to Indianapolis Star Zak Keefer, the Colts' offensive line is facing yet another loss for this contest.
"Colts right guard Hugh Thornton missed practice Tuesday with a sore back and his status remains uncertain for Thursday's showdown in Houston. Add him to a list that already includes rookie guard Jack Mewhort, who is expected to miss his second straight game with an injured ankle.
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This spells trouble for the men wearing horseshoes. Already considered one of the weakest units on the team, the o-line can hardly stand to lose another starter.
As Keefer mentioned, Mewhort is questionable to return this week, having already missed last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Replacing him last week was Lance Louis. In line to replace Thornton would be veteran Joe Reitz.
With J.J. Watt lining up on the blocks going the other way, this could be devastating for Luck and the offense. Expect to see even more max protect looks than may have been expected, as the Colts will do anything possible to prevent Watt from turning out the lights on their game plan.
Dana Benbow: Colts Are the Smartest Team in the NFL
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As Dana Benbow of the Indianapolis Star noted, the Colts are probably the smartest team in the league, academically speaking.
"Think Andrew Luck, Griff Whalen and Coby Fleener. They all attended Stanford University, a private research university in California, and one of the world's most prestigious institutions "with the highest undergraduate selectivity," according to its website.
In other words, you can't be stupid and go to Stanford.
They are all on Hasselbeck's group homework texts. So are Anthony Castonzo, a fellow Boston College alum; Khaled Holmes, Southern California; and Andy Studebaker, who went to Wheaton College, a top-ranked academic school in Illinois.
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She's got a point. Not too many dummies come out of Palo Alto with a degree. Then again, not too many go in for one, either.
Stanford is one of the most selective universities in the world. While standards no doubt drop a bit for elite athletes like Luck and Fleener, they still maintain high expectations of their student-athletes once enrolled.
Luck graduated with a degree in architecture. It's no wonder he's helped rebuild the Colts so quickly.
Conrad Brunner: Cory Redding Showing Youthful Energy
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As Conrad Brunner of 1070thefan.com pointed out in a recent piece, Cory Redding has been playing lights out this season, despite being 33 years old.
From the article: "Lately, he’s been giving the Colts a lot more than that. With the team in need of more jolt from its pass rush in the absence of another old warrior, Robert Mathis, Redding has turned back the clock and become an even bigger force than usual on the field."
It would be hard to argue Redding's value right now, as the Colts defense is performing at a level that was not commonly projected in the offseason. Providing excellent run support and two sacks to this point, Redding has set the tone for a front seven that lost Robert Mathis for the season and had played its last three games without Jerrell Freeman before the Ravens contest.
Against the Texans and their zone-running scheme, Redding will need to provide a strong presence off the edge. Arian Foster is coming off a huge game and Houston will be looking to keep him going. Redding's contributions will be a big part of whether or not the Colts are able to stop him.
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Michael Marot: Colts D Has Come Alive
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As Michael Marot outlined in a recent piece for Yahoo Sports, Indy's defense has been stellar to this point in the season.
"Against Baltimore, they sacked Joe Flacco a season-high four times, came up with three turnovers, allowed one third-down conversion and closed out the 20-13 victory by stopping the Ravens' last-minute drive near midfield."
Not bad.
Considering the team rankings of the Colts' defensive units the past few years, they are utterly dominating in comparison right now. Currently ranked 12th against the run, the Colts haven't been this good against opposing rushing attacks in recent memory.
From D'Qwell Jackson to Cory Redding to Sergio Brown, everyone is doing their job at a high level right now. And assuming they can keep the passion and intensity alive this week, the D should be able to slow down the Texans' potent rushing attack.
AP: Reggie Wayne Continues March on Record Books
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The AP was taking a look at wide receiver Reggie Wayne, letting everyone know just how impressive his career has been. "Wayne caught five passes for 34 yards in the first quarter, giving him 13,904 yards, five more yards than (Cris) Carter gained in his career. Wayne also extended his NFL record of consecutive games with three or more receptions to 76."
Wayne passed Carter for ninth on the all-time receiving yards list. He currently sits at 13,950 yards for his career. Next up on the list is Hall of Fame wideout James Lofton, who finished with 14,004 receiving yards.
It would take Wayne just 55 yards on Thursday to eclipse that mark, setting up his approach toward the next name on the list: Marvin Harrison.
Harrison's name is etched deeply into the Colts' history. Having played with Wayne for several years, including winning a Super Bowl together, there's no doubt he will be rooting for No. 87 to pass him later this season.
Luck's favorite target needs 630 yards to pass the surefire Hall of Famer Harrison. At his current rate of 77 yards per game, Wayne would pass Harrison's mark early in the 14th game of this year.
That game happens to fall in Cleveland against the Browns. Fans of Indianapolis will no doubt be hoping he does it either the week before or after, which will both see games played in Indy.
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