Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024

Preview and Prediction

The first week of the NFL season always garners a lot of attention.

According to second-year head coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts, it's an even bigger deal when you start off against a division rival.

This is precisely what the Colts will do on Sunday as they face off against the reigning AFC South champions, the Houston Texans.

Steichen stated, "Winning division games and securing a division championship is crucial. It all starts within the division, and we need to win at home right from the start. It will be a tough challenge, as we are facing a strong football team, but I have full confidence that our players will be ready to compete on Sunday."

If the Colts are successful, they will break a decade-long trend. In their last ten season openers, they have yet to secure a victory, including a tie against the Texans in 2019 and a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, who went on to lose their next 15 games.

In last year's season opener, the Colts fell to the Jaguars 31-21, with 2023 first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson making his NFL debut as quarterback. However, Richardson only played three more games before a season-ending shoulder injury, which led to Gardner Minshew taking over the role.

Now, with Minshew starting for the Las Vegas Raiders, the Colts have handed the reins back to Richardson. The game plan is to utilize former NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor and Richardson to wear down opposing defenses, then take advantage of opportunities for deep passes off play-action.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans commented on Richardson's abilities, saying, "As he has shown in the limited snaps he has played, he has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker both on the ground and through the air."

Despite Richardson's absence for the last 13 games, the Colts still managed to have a top-10 scoring offense, averaging 23.3 points per game. However, their defense ranked 28th, allowing an average of 24.4 points per game, ultimately keeping them out of the playoffs.

Their defense will face a tough test right off the bat in Week 1.

The Houston Texans have loaded up their roster in hopes of making a championship run with second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. He led the team to an unexpected division title last year, showcasing not only his talent but also his composure despite his young age.

Now, Stroud has even more experienced weapons surrounding him. The Texans acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon, who is known for his ability to both run and catch the ball. Their goal is to do for Stroud what the Buffalo Bills have done for their quarterback Josh Allen - build a strong team around him and become a top contender in the AFC.

Diggs is excited for a fresh start with the Texans after his time with the Bills came to an end. His production significantly declined in the latter part of the 2023 season, despite finishing with 107 catches. He openly admits that he was in a "bad mental state," which affected his performance on the field.

He stated, "If I'm not in a good place mentally, it's not beneficial for me or the team. That's when things needed to change."

Although the Colts have a dominant 32-11-1 record against the Texans in their all-time series, the Texans have won the last two matchups at Lucas Oil Stadium, including a 23-19 victory in January that secured them a spot in the playoffs.

PREDICTION

Houston Texans

25

22

Indianapolis Colts

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Recap SEP 8TH 2024