***SNF IN THE SWAMP - INDY @ HOU***
***INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ HOUSTON TEXANS***
An AFC South matchup takes place on SNF tonight when the 3-2 Houston Texans host their rival, the 2-3 Colts. This has the makings of an entertaining game, as the both teams have really been struggling to find their identities and seize control of this young season and division. The AFC South is wide open as the Jaguars and Titans are in the same boat with identity crises of their own. That being said, the division is their for the taking. The Colts have the best QB in the Division in Andrew Luck, but nowadays that seems like it is all they have. The Colt defense has been so banged up and undermanned that their secondary doesn't stand a chance against most passing attacks. Although they have gotten a bit healthier and do have their top CB Vontae Davis back which definitely helps, I believe Davis and the rest of the Colts secondary will have another tough outing on the road tonight. Vontae will surely have his hands full and the task of covering stud WR DeAndre Hopkins for the Texans. That being said, it all starts with the man the Texans paid heavily for this offseason, QB Brock Osweiler. Thus far, Brock hasn't played as well as they've liked although he has shown some promise that he can be that guy for them. I thought the Texans were absolutely crazy throwing all that money at a young QB who only had a small sample size of NFL experience backing up Peyton Manning in Denver last year, but hey I get it. The Texans are one of those teams with all the pieces except the most important one, a QB. They think that this guy could be the missing piece to finally take their franchise to that next level of play and they jumped on the opportunity. Make no mistake about it, they brought Osweiler in here to compete with and beat Andrew Luck, and tonight will be the first time the two QBs go head to head as division rivals. Indy is reeling right now, and if the Texans can't beat them at home on the Prime Time stage, well then Houston we have a problem. The Texans need to make a statement tonight and send that message to the rest of the division, especially after getting embarrassed by the Patriots and a third string QB during their last Prime Time outing earlier this season. DE JJ Watt is out for the season, but the emergence of high draft pick JaDeveon Clowney has been a nice surprise for the Texans so far this season. The guy is really coming into his own and just might be worth that draft status afterall, good timing too. LB Brian Cushing is a freak of nature and already back from an injury, this defensive motor goes as he does. The fact that he is even out there playing I think has provided a extra bolt of energy and raised the level of toughness for this defense. Houston will be rocking and Luck will be under fire tonight with shotty play from his offensive line, the usual story when talking about the Colts offense. Luck however will make his plays downfield and keep this one going back and forth. I see a tight game with the Texans weapons being too much for the Colts defense to handle. I look for a big game from RB Lamar Miller who has been very quiet lately. The stage is set for a breakout game from him and I think he takes advantage. If Rookie WR Will Fuller can go for the Bulls, they may romp the Ponys. BULLS ON PARADE! TEXANS-3
