NFL Week 5: Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

AFC South teams in need of momentum fight it out in NFL Week 5

Texans vs. Colts Overview:

The Houston Texans (0-3) and Indianapolis Colts (1-2) have underperformed so far in the NFL season. A rash of injuries to the Indianapolis Colts offensive line has made the recovery of QB Peyton Manning even harder. The Houston Texans have also been bitten hard by the injury bug and have had problems adjusting to a new offense. Both of these teams are loaded with talent and are fighting in the elite AFC South. A win for either of these teams could be the launching point for a renewed 2008 campaign.

Houston Texans Offense:

Quarterback Matt Schaub had two poor games in a row before coming into his own against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a losing effort, Matt Schaub still threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. RB Steve Slaton is a rising star for the Houston Texans and has homerun-hitting speed. Steve Slaton is also a threat to catch out of the backfield and has Reggie-Bush-like potential. WR Andre Johnson could be the best pure player at his position but has not been himself so far. The Houston Texans offensive line is protecting Matt Schaub well.

Houston Texans Defense:

Mario Williams is always the first name mentioned when the Houston Texans defense is brought up. Mario Williams carries the Houston Texans defense on his back and is evolving into the best pass rusher in the NFL. MLB DeMeco Ryans is the leader of the Houston Texans and hunts down RBs. DeMeco Ryans must get more production from the defensive line to be effective. The Houston Texans front seven has played poorly outside of Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans, and the crew must step up. Injuries continued to rack up in the mediocre secondary.

Indianapolis Colts Offense:

Quarterback Peyton Manning is the face of the Indianapolis Colts franchise and a sure-fire Hall of Fame player, but the real story has been the Indianapolis Colts offensive line. The unit was once an elite force, but injuries have left it battered in the interior. C Jeff Saturday returns and will be a great help to Peyton Manning. RB Joseph Addai could be the best running back of his draft class and must produce for the Indianapolis Colts to be successful. Peyton Manning has many great targets including wideouts Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzales, and TE Dallas Clark.

Indianapolis Colts Defense:

Safety Bob Sanders is the heart and soul of the Indianapolis Colts defense but is again injured. The loss of Bob Sanders usually weakens the Indianapolis Colts run defense. DE Dwight Freeney is back to form after injury ended his 2007 season early and is one of the best pass rushers around. The Indianapolis Colts defense is small but quick and runs the Tampa-2 scheme to perfection. OLB Freddie Keiaho is blossoming as a player and flies under the radar of a lot of teams. FS Antoine Bethea is forced to have a bigger role due to the loss of Bob Sanders.

Houston Texans Keys to Victory:

The weakness of the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa-2 defense is a powerful running game. The Houston Texans have the best running back in their history outside Domanick Davis in Steve Slaton, and the rookie runner will have to be on his game. Steve Slaton could run wild with Bob Sanders out of the lineup. Rookie LT Duane Brown will have his hands full with Dwight Freeney and must protect Matt Schaub’s blindside. The Indianapolis Colts secondary is beat up and Andre Johnson must get over his drops for the Houston Texans to be successful.    

The Houston Texans defense stopped the impressive run attack of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 and will try to pen in Joseph Addai. The Houston Texans must stop Joseph Addai to make the Indianapolis Colts offense one-dimensional. Mario Williams needs to be able to pin his ears back and get after Peyton Manning, hopefully with help from DT Amobi Okoye. Getting pressure on Peyton Manning is key to the Houston Texans victory as their secondary featuring CBs Fred Bennett and Jacques Reeves is no match for Marvin Harrison and company.

Indianapolis Colts Keys to Victory:

In order to protect Peyton Manning behind their makeshift offensive live the Indianapolis Colts must hit the Houston Texans with a strong running game. RBs Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes each have great the ability to gash the defense. The Houston Texans front seven has been weak against the run, and it could buckle against the Indianapolis Colts. A protected Peyton Manning can easily cut apart the weak Houston Texans secondary like a skilled surgeon thanks to a great football mind and the best arm in the NFL.

Stopping Steve Slaton will be the first priority of the Indianapolis Colts. The versatile rookie RB can line up all over the field and has the speed to take any play the distance. FS Antoine Bethea will be asked to step up in place of Bob Sanders to accomplish this. DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis could be the best combo of rushers in the NFL and could destroy Matt Schaub if they are given the opportunity to forgo run defense. The Indianapolis Colts secondary has to mind its Tampa-2 zones to contain Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton, and Owen Daniels.

Texans vs. Colts Outlook:

The AFC South rivals the NFC East as the best division in the NFL, and the action of the AFC South always has playoff connotations. The Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars rule the AFC South right now, but the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts have the talent and will to take it back. The Houston Texans also have a storyline of their own as they have their home-opening game in Reliant Stadium in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a bye week with a roster that’s healthy and rested after the week off. The Houston Texans are reeling from an overtime loss to the hated Jacksonville Jaguars. Momentum and talent favors the Indianapolis Colts, but the boys in blue and white have not been themselves. If Peyton Manning is healthy and back on a roll, then the Indianapolis Colts could have great success against the Houston Texans. The Indianapolis Colts have an edge on the Houston Texans, but it is much smaller now than in recent seasons.