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Eyes in the Backfield:  Colts at Texans


Last week’s column produced mixed results. Bob Sanders did play down near the line as we predicted, but as of last check Ben Utech remains uneaten by Cory Simon.  Oh well. . . You can’t win them all.  This week we try and do better. . .

1.   Andre Johnson is hurt.  Watch to see if Matt Schwab really can play quarterback, or secretly sucks but has been elevated by the presence of a great WR.

2.  Watch for the health of the linebackers.  Even if Morris and Keiaho are able to start, they may not finish. 

3.  Watch for a jacked up crowd to come down fast.  This is the biggest game in franchise history.  The Texans are undefeated playing the Super Bowl champs, and if they win they will lead the division by a full game.  Unfortunately, these Texans fans haven’t had the luxury of watching them play high stakes games.  The crowd might deflate early if the Colts strike first.

4.  Watch where Bob Sanders lines up.  Last week, the Colts used him as hybrid safety/linebacker, placing up near the line where he wreaked havoc.  If the LBs aren’t healthy or  the Texans show early success against the run, watch for the Zombie to approach the line again.
 
5.  Watch for me to run out of things to say well before 18 because I just honestly can’t take the Texans seriously.

6.  Look for “Battle Red” jerseys on the Texans.  They have an embarrassing tradition of trotting out red alternate home jerseys for big games.  I’m not sure why, but it’s the sort weird gimmick that crappy college teams employ.

7.  Watch Mario Williams vs. Tony Ugoh.  In a match up of young players who are extremely important to their teams’ fortunes, the winner of the individual match up could be the winner of the game.  The Texans drafted Williams specifically because they play Peyton Manning twice a year.  If Ugoh can stop the Williams rush, the Colts should be able to count on a couple of easy wins twice a year from now till eternity (officially defined as “When #18 retires”).

8.  Watch for the Texans to run the ball often, but ineffectively.  They only average 3.4 yards per carry (24th in the league), but are 6th in the league in total rushing attempts.  They try to run the ball a lot.  They just don’t do it very well.

9. Watch Joe Addai.  The Texans have had a lot of success early in the season in stuffing the run.  If he gets 4 yards a carry and 90 yards, the Colts should win.
 
10.  Look for Dwight Freeney to earn his money.  He’s yet to record a sack after starting the season with two quarterbacks who are tough to bring down.  Schaub will do his best David Carr impersonation for Freeney.  Freeney has more sacks versus the Texans than any other team.
 
11.  Look for the Colts to create some breathing room in the division.  With the Titans and Jags playing tough road games, this week will decide just how strong the AFC South really is.  This is another game the Colts can ‘swing’ from last year.  Going 2-0 in games that you lost previous year would be a huge stride in the Colts' bid for the 14 wins necessary to have home field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
 
12.  Look for Von Hutchins to give up a score.  Without Nick Harper and Jason David to push around Peyton Manning will seek out the first former Colt DB he sees.
Watch Ron Dayne.  He has 22 career rushing touchdowns and most of those scores came against Indy last year.  Look for Freddie Keiaho and company to hunt down and stuff the former Badger.   

13.  Watch Ron Dayne.  He has 22 career rushing touchdowns and most of those scores came against Indy last year.  Look for Freddie Keiaho and company to hunt down and stuff the former Badger.   We’d tell you to watch Ahman Green, but he’s so old and slow, that you can’t really miss him.

14.  Watch for the pregame ceremony.  Owner Bob McNair will unfurl a banner above the south end zone commemorating the 2 – 0 start.

15.  Watch for the Colts to blitz far less than they did in Week 2.  Schuab has burned the blitz heavily thus far this season, and thusly, the Colts should return to their typical 1-3 blitzes per game pattern.

16.  Watch the thermometer.  The Texans are 4-1 all time in games played under 50 degrees.  If the air conditioner goes bezerk in their domed stadium in Texas, this stat might become even vaguely relevant.

17.  Watch for the continued development of Anthony Gonzalez after his first three career catches.  In the preseason he mostly caught balls in the two minute drill.  To this point, the trend is continuing.

18.  Look for Houston fans to leave the game buzzing with excitement about the Texans’ 2-1 record, the best in franchise history.

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