The second season of the new era of Houston Texans football begins this Sunday afternoon when the Texans head North to face off against division rival the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. The Texans will look to start hot and prove that the work they did this offseason was no fluke. Get prepared for the Texans matchup with the Colts here with us at TexansGameday.
The Houston Texans are aiming to put all of their talent on display this weekend when they open their season against the Indianapolis Colts who will be returning quarterback Anthony Richardson from injury, making the Colts' offense more potent and something that the Texans' defense will have to pay close attention to.
The Houston Texans will once again be led by second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud who now have a slew of weapons to make their offense hum even more than it did in 2023 with the additions of Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon.
Ryans and the Texans will have a game plan in place for how to attack the Colts on both sides of the ball, but the biggest part will be stopping the run game of Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. If the Texans can do that then they will find themselves in a great position to win this one comfortably.
The Texans have maintained relatively good health through the offseason and will have everyone available for their Week 1 matchup against the Colts outside of safety M.J. Stewart.
The Houston Texans did yomen's work this offseason in effort to improve off their successes in 2023 and will now get to see those additions at work this Sunday vs. the Colts. The Colts have been up and down over the past few years, but return QB Anthony Richardson from last season's injury.
Despite small improvements from the Colts I still believe that they are highly overmatched in this one even while being at home. The AFC South runs through H-Town and that will continue here in Week 1 with a big game from C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense. Give me Houston winning comfortably in this one 28-14.
Key Matchups
C.J. Stroud vs. the Colts' Defense
The Colts had a shaky defense last season, ranking 24th in the league in rushing yards allowed. This presents a great opportunity for Joe Mixon to make a statement in his first game as a Texan. Mixon, a proven back in the NFL, should have success against a Colts defense that struggled to contain the run in 2023. However, the Colts' defense did improve in the offseason, especially on the defensive line, so Mixon will have to be prepared for a tougher test than he might expect. The Colts also have a very good secondary, but Stroud has proven himself capable of handling even the most elite defenses. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions should give him an advantage against the Colts.
Anthony Richardson vs. the Texans' Defense
Richardson is a talented and dynamic quarterback, but he will face a tough challenge in his first start since last season's injury. The Texans have one of the league's best pass-rushing duos in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Their ability to get to the quarterback will be key in slowing down Richardson. If the Texans can contain Richardson, they will be in great shape to win this game. It is important to remember that this Texans defense is vastly different from the one that Richardson faced in his rookie year, with an emphasis on strong pass rushing and a tight defense. It is likely that Richardson will have to adjust his playstyle to be more cautious in the pocket, which could hinder the Colts' ability to make explosive plays.
Jonathan Taylor vs. the Texans' Run Defense
Jonathan Taylor is one of the most explosive running backs in the league. He is a threat to break a big run on every play. However, the Texans are a very good run defense, with the potential to limit Taylor's success. It will be interesting to see how the Colts game plan for this matchup. The Texans have a very strong front seven, and they should be able to do a good job of keeping Taylor in check. In the end, Taylor's performance will be dependent on the Colts' ability to create opportunities for him to run. If they can establish a solid run game early on, Taylor will have a chance to be a major factor in the game.
The Verdict
The Texans have the edge in this game because of the overall talent on their roster and the return of C.J. Stroud from a phenomenal rookie season. While the Colts have improved their defense, the Texans have the offense to exploit weaknesses in the Colts' run defense.
However, the game will be much closer than many people predict. If the Colts can play well and control the clock, they have a chance to pull off an upset.
The key for the Colts will be to keep their quarterback Anthony Richardson clean and provide him with enough time to throw the ball downfield. This will be a tough task against a Texans defense that has proven to be one of the best in the league at pressuring quarterbacks. The game is likely to be a tight one, but I am predicting the Texans to win.
It's Game Day!
This is the first chance for both teams to make a statement and set the tone for the season. The game will be broadcast on CBS, and the Texans will be looking to win their first game in the AFC South and show that they are the real deal.
Be sure to tune in on Sunday to see how it all plays out!
