Indianapolis Colts (10-0) vs. Houston Texans (5-5) Preview

This is a game with big time stars and with big time meaning, the Indianapolis Colts have been the toast of the division, at the head of the class for many years. The Houston Texans have made incredible strides and have moved up in the division year after year, but they have never been able to get over the hump by beating the Colts. Houston is a total of 1-14 verses the Colts, with many close games but ending up on the wrong side of the game. With stars like Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub the list goes on and on this is a game that will be one to watch on Sunday.

Keys Matchups:

The Houston Texans pass offense against that Indianapolis Colts defensive line. Will Matt Schaub and the Texans have enough time to complete the big plays down the field? Only if the run game can get established, the Texans have had a running back by committee of sorts, with the problems that Steve Slaton has had holding on to the football. If Houston can establish the run, Indy may have a difficult time stopping Andre Johnson; he is big, physical and just a beast when it comes to catching the football. Another key matchup will be Peyton Manning versus that Houston Texans defense. The first game was a thriller with Indy coming out on top, thanks to a Kris Brown missed field goal (and the Titans say thanks as well from Monday night). I look for Manning to improve from his last game against Houston, he is always looking for ways to get better and these are the types of games where he can show that improvement. The key is can the Texans defense improve on their efforts? The amazing thing about Manning is he does this year in and year out, and defenses have no clue how to stop it, so it could be a long day in Houston on Sunday.

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Keys to the Game:

Will Andre Johnson be a factor in this game? The more he is involved, the better off for Houston. If he catches not only deep balls but is able to make plays underneath, the Colts defense will have big problems. Can Indianapolis get the running game going? We know the passing game is always ready with number 18 behind center, but can the running game get right? Indy has struggled all year to get the running game to be a steady part of that high powered offense. In order for the play action pass to be effective to open up big plays down field, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown must make plays, not necessarily big plays but just enough to pull in that defense for the passing game.

It is a divisional game, what more can you say? Houston has always played Indianapolis well no matter where they play, and this week is in Houston. That Houston crowd is always rocking and will look to disrupt the calls at the line for Manning and that Colt offense. Indianapolis has won close, they have won big, they have won every way possible and impossible (ask New England), I look for this to be a close game but the Colts will pull away and get the win.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent