Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: NFL Week 15 Pick
By Erik Lambert
Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs with the ball against Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams are coming off ugly losses but both also continue to sit in position to claim the AFC South, bad as it is. The Indianapolis Colts currently control the deck, having beaten the Houston Texans earlier in the year, so this game may very well decide who takes the checkered flag.
Backdrop:
One of the more underrated rivalries going in the NFL these days. It always seems like the Texans and Colts are battling for control of the division and 2015 is no different. Both are 6-7 and tied for the lead with three games left to play. There is no question this second meeting is by far the most important.
Each team only has one loss in divisional play while the Colts hold a 3-2 advantage in wins. So a win by either team would be enormously destructive for the other because wild card chances have all but vanished. It’s the division title or nothing.
Matchup To Watch:
OLB Jadeveon Clowney vs. OT Anthony Castonzo
Don’t look now, but it seems things are beginning to click for the #1 pick from the 2014 NFL draft. After an injury-riddled rookie season, Jadeveon Clowney has really come on strong over the past four weeks, during which he has collected four sacks. Teams are finding out that J.J. Watt isn’t their only problem anymore.
Indianapolis should count itself fortunate because left tackle Anthony Castonzo is set to return after missing the previous three games. His replacement Joe Reitz was clearly put in a tough situation having to move from his natural spot at right tackle, giving up four sacks. Castonzo must solidify that spot against Clowney, otherwise it could be another long game for Matt Hasselbeck.
Key Stat:
The Colts defense has really been on its heels lately, giving up over 900 combined yards over the past two games alone as well as seven passing touchdowns. They can’t afford to forget that Brian Hoyer of the Texans is playing some good football of late and had over 300 yards and two touchdowns against them in their first meeting. It’s no time to get cocky about what’s happened over the past few matchups.
Prediction: Texans win 30-20
Their visit to New England may have been a dud, but the Houston Texans seem like a team that has found its identity and come in facing an opponent they know they can beat and is reeling from back-to-back thrashings.