Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans: Something Has to Give

Which team will see a stream come to an end on Sunday?

When the final whistle blows at NRG this Sunday, one team will continue a streak while another will mourn the end of theirs. In what has shaped up to look like the early season battle for the AFC South crown, the Indianapolis Colts bring their two-game winning streak. The Houston Texans are riding a five-game win streak against divisional opponents.

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Indianapolis has won four of their past five games after beginning the season 0-2. In the past 10 seasons (2014-23), nine teams have qualified for the postseason after starting 0-2, including Houston last year. They are one of five teams to hold opponents to 17-or-fewer points in at least four games this season, along with the Los Angeles Chargers (five), Pittsburgh Steelers (five), Denver Broncos (four) and Minnesota Vikings(four).

Houston has won five consecutive AFC divisional games since Week 15 of the 2023 season and is looking to win six consecutive games against AFC South opponents for the second time in franchise history (10 consecutive wins from 2015-16).

Other streaks heading our way this Sunday include Texans’ tailback Joe Mixon’s chance to run right into the record books:

Texans running back Joe Mixon has at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in three of his four games this season and with another such performance on Sunday, can become the first player in NFL history with 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in four of his first five games with a team.

If the Texans have managed to fix their offensive line woes, and Stroud can get on the stick early, the Colts will have to pick their poison: Either get run over by Mixon or torched by Stroud.

While the Colts are coming off a win against the seemingly rudderless Miami Dolphins, H-Town is lamenting the heartbreaking last minute loss to the Green Bay Packers. Line the ‘Fins and Pack up right now and Green Bay wins easily all day, every day.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS Week 8 Stats

QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON totaled 185 yards (129 pass, 56 rush) & had 0 INTs last week, 3rd-career game with 50+ rush yards. Aims for 3rd in row with 0 INTs. Is 3-0 in his past 3 starts. Totaled 268 yards (season-high 212 pass, 56 rush) & 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) with 101.2 rating in Week 1 meeting.

RB JONATHAN TAYLOR has 100+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his past 6, incl. each of past 3. Has TD in 9 of his past 10. Has 950 scrimmage yards (135.7 per game) & 9 TDs (8 rush, 1 rec.) in 7 career games vs. Hou., with TD in each game.

RB TYLER GOODSON rushed for 51 yards & 1st TD of season last week. Aims for 4th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards.

WR MICHAEL PITTMAN led team with 63 rec. yards in Week 7. Aims for 3rd in row on road with TD catch. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with 4+ catches.

WR ALEC PIERCE has 55+ rec. yards & TD catch in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had 125 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 1 meeting. Has 125+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 2 of 3 games vs. division in 2024.

WR JOSH DOWNS has 7+ catches & 65+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 6+ catches.

LB E.J. SPEED aims for his 13th in row with 6+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Hou. with 10+ tackles. Has 4 TFL in his past 3 vs. Hou.

LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had season-high 16 tackles & 2nd FF of season last week. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Logan Wilson) with 8+ tackles in 7 games this season. Had 8 tackles in Week 1 meeting. Leads NFL with 76 tackles in 2024.

LB GRANT STUARD led team with career-high 18 tackles & had TFL in Week 7, tied for most tackles by any player in a game this season.

DE LAIATU LATU (rookie) had 2nd sack of season last week.

S NICK CROSS had 9 tackles last week & leads all DBs with 69 tackles in 2024.

HOUSTON TEXANS Week 8 Stats

• QB C.J. STROUD is 3-0 with 936 pass yards (312 per game) & 101.4 rating in 3 home starts this season. Aims for his 7th in row at home with 90+ rating & 3rd in row at home with 325+ pass yards. Has 2 TD passes, 0 INTs & 100+ rating in each of 3 career starts vs. Ind. Has 13 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 113.3 rating in 7 career starts vs. division.

• RB JOE MIXON led team with 124 scrimmage yards (115 rush, 9 rec.) & had season-high 2 rush TDs last week, 10th-career game with 2+ rush TDs. Has 115+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his 4 games this season & 4 of his past 5 overall. Has TD in 5 of his past 6. Has 630 scrimmage yards (126 per game) in 5 career games vs. Ind., incl. season-high 178 scrimmage yards (159 rush, 19 rec.) & rush TD in Week 1 meeting. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 121 scrimmage yards per game in 2024.

• WR STEFON DIGGS is 1 of 5 in NFL with 5+ catches in 6+ games this season. Has 65+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5. Has 2 rec. TDs in each of his past 2 games vs. Ind., incl. in Week 1 meeting.

• WR TANK DELL had 7 catches for 72 yards & TD in last home meeting. Has 5+ catches, 50+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 3 of 4 career games vs. division.

• DE DANIELLE HUNTER aims for 3rd in row with sack. Had PD in Week 1 meeting.

• DE WILL ANDERSON aims for 4th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with sack. Had TFL in Week 1 meeting. Ranks tied-6th in NFL with 6.5 sacks this season.

• DT TIM SETTLE had 2 TFL & 3rd sack of season in Week 7.

• LB NEVILLE HEWITT led team with season-high 9 tackles & 2 PD & had 1st INT of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 6+ tackles.

• S CALEN BULLOCK (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with INT. Has PD in 4 of past 5. Had INT in Week 1 meeting. Ties for lead among rookies with 3 INTs in 2024.

• CB DEREK STINGLEY had 6 tackles, TFL & PD last week. Aims for 5th in row with PD.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS vs HOUSTON TEXANS PREDICTION

The Texans are simply the better team right now. If Demeco Ryans addressed the mistakes from last week and has them all rowing in the right direction, this one could get ugly for the Baby Horses early.

However, as quoted above, the Colts have held opponents to 17-or-fewer points in at least four games this season, including the high flying Minnesota Vikings.

Either way, the smart money is on H-Town here.

Indianapolis Colts 19

Houston Texans 27

With the great city of Houston honoring Andre Johnson’s Hall of Fame selection this weekend, the motivation for the Texans offense to live up to ‘Dre’s standards is plain for all to see.