Official Texans vs. Colts Game Thread, 10/8/2015

[Warren]

Last year the Texans led the league with 34 takeaways. So far this year they're tied for last place with two. Fewer takeaways means fewer short fields for an offense that needs all the help that it can get.

Not sure to what the big difference should be attributed. From a personnel standpoint, Pickett, Powe, Reed, Mohamed, Swearinger, K. Lewis, and Manning are gone and Wilfork, Covington, Clowney, McKinney, Demps, Moore, and K. Johnson have been added.

[Nconroe]

Originally Posted by Warren

Last year the Texans led the league with 34 takeaways. So far this year they're tied for last place with two. Fewer takeaways means fewer short fields for an offense that needs all the help that it can get.

Not sure to what the big difference should be attributed. From a personnel standpoint, Pickett, Powe, Reed, Mohamed, Swearinger, K. Lewis, and Manning are gone and Wilfork, Covington, Clowney, McKinney, Demps, Moore, and K. Johnson have been added.

Maybe our safeties contributed more than we realized last year. Or our ILB and CB just facing different competition. Still early i guess.

Probably our QB being sacked more than last year as well.

So takeways and sacks are two big indicators of success or failure.

[WMH]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 23m23 minutes ago
Colts undecided which QB will play tonight; would not be a surprise if Matt Hasselbeck does, Andrew Luck doesn't.

[popanot]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter · 24m24 minutes ago
Colts undecided which QB will play tonight; would not be a surprise if Matt Hasselbeck does, Andrew Luck doesn't.

Can the D rebound against geezer Hasselbeck? Oh, the drama!! I'm sure the rest of the country cannot wait to watch this hot mess of a game.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by popanot

Can the D rebound against geezer Hasselbeck? Oh, the drama!! I'm sure the rest of the country cannot wait to watch this hot mess of a game.

We know we can't beat the Colts in Indy no matter who they play at QB, but can we beat them at our place if they don't have Luck ? If we go against a non-Luck QB tonight and lose, this season is definitely down the tubes.

[WMH]

I'm just hoping Mallet calms down a bit. I have a feeling OB's patience is wearing thin, and the kids about to get the hook. Can't say I blame him, but I really wanted him to turn out decent.

Whether or not Luck plays doesn't really concern me for this week. He's not 100%, so his "magic" will be limited. We'd likely beat ourselves before he'd beat us.

[WMH]

What a mess this will be if they choke....

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 2m2 minutes ago
Updated: Colts' QB Matt Hassebleck was in emergency room until 2 am TUESDAY, dealing with virus he's still feeling. From hospital to start.

[HPF Bob]

Maybe the Colts can get Gary Hogeboom or Art Schlichter.

Whoever the Colts start, I want to see them in a Watt-Clowney sandwich during the first quarter, even if it's after the whistle. Their OL is supposedly a wreck and if we apply QB pressure early, they will have to account for it the rest of the night.

Say, if the Texans win, don't they leapfrog into first in their division? The AFC Suck Division?

[WMH]

Pro Football Focus
‏@PFF
Most air yards lost due to drops so far:

1. C Newton (139)
2. S Bradford (133)
3. B Bortles (118)
4. R Mallett (112)
5. C Palmer (92)

[chuck]

I wonder if RAC will try to rush JJ through the A gaps to try to take advantage of Indy's poor inside line play.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by chuck

I wonder if RAC will try to rush JJ through the A gaps to try to take advantage of Indy's poor inside line play.

I want to see RAC use JJ and Clowney on the same side more often and overload the protection. Splitting them on opposite sides to meet at the QB seems to be doing the opposing offense a favor.

[Arky]

Texan inactives:

S Quintin Demps
ILB Akeem Dent
RB Jonathan Grimes
WR Cecil Shorts III
WR Nate Washington
OLB Kourtnei Brown
C Greg Mancz

Demps and Washington both suffered hamstring injuries in Sunday's game at Atlanta and exited early. Keith Mumphery will start for Washington at wide receiver.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by chuck

I wonder if RAC will try to rush JJ through the A gaps to try to take advantage of Indy's poor inside line play.

He has had Clowney rush from a two-point stance over the guard before.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Warren

He has had Clowney rush from a two-point stance over the guard before.

I've seen that. I specifically asked for JJ because Clowney is so valuable outside against the run and because JJ is more explosive out of a three-point stance which is what I would like to see.