Three Matchups to watch: Colts vs Texans Week 2
The Indianapolis Colts are hitting the road for Week 2 as they will take on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. To prepare for this AFC South matchup, I took a look at the three biggest matchups that will make or break this game for the Colts. 3 Matchups to Watch: Colts Defense Vs. Texans […]
The Indianapolis Colts are hitting the road for Week 2 as they will take on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
To prepare for this AFC South matchup, I took a look at the three biggest matchups that will make or break this game for the Colts.
3 Matchups to Watch:
Colts Defense Vs. Texans Depleted Offensive Line
This week’s matchup could be decided in the trenches. The Texans want to be a team whose run game takes pressure off rookie QB CJ Stroud. But in Week 1, the injuries on their line (3 starters on IR) weren’t able to get enough push to get the run game going, which caused Stroud to drop back 44 times on the day.
The Texans offensive line could be even more depleted this week as star LT Larmey Tunsil missed Friday's practice ahead of Sunday's game and is carrying a questionable designation into the weekend. The Colts run defense is among the best in the NFL and will seek to force the Texans to rely on the passing game yet again. And during the 2nd half of Week 1, we saw the Colts pass rush come to life.
The Colts defensive line will have the opportunity to take over this game from the very start. And if they do so, it'll be a long day for the Houston Texans.
Texans Secondary Vs. Colts Passing Offense
The Texans secondary will be taking a hit Sunday as both starting safeties, Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre, have been ruled out already. But their top corners, Steven Nelson and Derek Stingley Jr., will be ready to play.
The Colts will have to decide if they are ready to open up the deep ball element of their offense that we didn't see in Week 1. With two bench safeties set to protect the back end for Houston, it seems likely that the Colts uncork the deep ball and attack Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart.
Tank Dell Vs. Kenny Moore II
An exciting rookie is set to see a larger role this week for the Texans, and that is WR Tank Dell. WRs with Dell’s speed in the slot have given Colts nickle corner Kenny Moore II trouble over the past couple of seasons.
And he will get a new test with rookie Dell, who the Texans have made a point to share this week that his role will be expanding. With the Texans offensive line dealing with multiple injuries, the team will have to focus on quick passes, and Dell is likely to be the beneficiary of that style of offense.
The Texans could be without 4 of their 5 starting offensive linemen Sunday
The Indianapolis Colts are set to play a nearly entire 2nd-team offensive line vs. the Houston Texans this Sunday.
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