but I really think having the stadium roof closed for the game this weekend would help the Colts out. Its louder and we know that the sun was an issue at times against the Niners. I dont want to see Dallas reaching out for a ball that already hit the ground again this Sunday.

Its supposed to be a really nice weekend here in Indy again……

all that aside, I fully expect the team to bring its A game, and really shut everyone up on this “but they havent played anybody good” argument.

GO COLTS!!!!!!!!

Can we please keep the fan wars out of the preview? What does it matter what the fans think or don’t think? That does not affect the outcome of the game or how the players play or how they’ve played until now. I somehow feel like I brought this all upon Stampede Blue as it was a really fun blog until I decided to sign up. :)

Seeing if our defense can shut down a two dimentional attack. Thus far we have not played a team that can both run and pass the ball effectively. I have a theory that we are quite effective against one dimentional teams…. im really interested in seeing how we fare up against the texans, patriots, ravens, chargers, and the steelers (teams that can do both). I strongly feel like this will give up a great preview of how good this defense really is.

I saw on some other site as well where it said we were the eighth scoring offense, but as far as I know we’re the sixth best.

I think Adam Schein is picking the Texans this week, if thats the case…….we are a lock to win….

the dude is a retard when it comes to having any insight on whether or not the Colts will win week to week.

they play for 60 minutes. They never give up. That’s the reason we’re going to win on Sunday.

If you are going to immediately delete my posts from Stampede Blue, then please respond to my e-mails so that there is some clarification.

I honestly fail to see what part of my post on this thread qualified it for deletion. I am seeking an understanding.

They are probably flying a little too high after three straight wins. They are a good team, and the Colts would never overlook them, even with New England looming next Sunday.
I actually think that we will lose the rematch in Reliant. They need to win at least one, because if we sweep them, they will have at the least 5 losses, which makes every other game a must win.

In respeonse to Adam Schein’s latest fluff column:

I was @ that game last Sunday. The Bills have only beaten the Bucs at home. I’d hardly say the Ralph is a hard place to play at anymore. Bills fans are sick with the team and the coaching. The Texans beat a Bills team that is injured and has a coaching staff that clearly has no trust in it’s players or their own play calling. Sure, Slaton fumbled and picks were thrown but the Bills offense could not get the ball up the field.

The Texans are a good team, but beating the Bills is hardly a litmus test to see if they can play up to the Colts. The Texans might think they have swagger but they have yet done anything to prove they have earned the right to swagger.

dude…
why are you stirring the pot!!!? this was uncalled for, in my opinion…
I can’t say I’m surprised that more than a few Texans fans have reacted to their team’s early success by acting like a bunch of drunken frat boys.
because that is simply not true. the majority of texans fans are in fact, quite the opposite. we know that we can compete week in and week out, but your guess is as good as ours as to which team will show up. having said that, we practice “cautious optimism.”

and i understand that this is your space to say whatever you want, but it is also my right to disagree. anywayz…. that’s my 2 cents. (for what it’s worth.) good luck on sunday colt fans, here’s to an injury free game.

You heard it here first.

As this chart, obtained from a reputable football stats site, clearly indicates, the Texans will win.

1. Andre Johnson is clearly awesome sauce, so much so that Patrick Willis’s first aspect falls short in coverage.

2. Reggie Wayne Clearly comes in at 5 and is under tough coverage from Patrick Willis and a "randy" Brian Boitano.

3. Courtland Finnegan is a Douche.

Again, you can argue all you want, but you can’t argue with science.

but BBS just wouldnt let me. First you insult the entire fan base and then you give a very colts sided preview. While this is a colts blog, I would still expect a good level of fairness in a preview even if you hate the opposing fan base. Im very disappointed in you BigBlueShoe.

You give a pretty good preview of when the Texans have the ball, but you left out some key points. With all their running woes, the Texans are 6th in the league in rushing attempts. You say that if the colts can shut down the Texans running game it will make Schaub throw more than he is comfortable with, but that simply not true. Kubiak has done a great job of sticking to the run even with its struggles to keep defenses honest.

On the other side of the ball, your preview gets worse. Your key to the game when the colts have the ball is for the colts to run the ball mentioning that the Texans have a bad run d. What you fail to mention is that the colts have an even worse running offense, 30th in the league to be exact. The Texans struggled the first 3 games against the run, but have been much better in the last 5 games, 1st in the league over that 5 game span.

Running Game Season Averages:
Colts Run O: 87.3 yds/g(30th), 3.7 yds/att(26th). Run D: 112 yds/g(17th), 4.5 yds/att(22nd)
Texans Run O: 92 yd/g(28th), 3.3 yds/att(31st). Run D: 113.3 yds/g(20th), 4.7 yds/att(28th)

The running games on both sides of the ball are basically a push and that makes them the keys to the game for both teams. Both teams have electric passing offenses and should not be stopped by either defense. With all that being said, I think the Colts win this game because Peyton will have a better game than Schaub. Teh Schaub will miss Owen Daniels and James Casey in the passing game and will struggle without having his Pro Bowl TE and backup TE. Colts 31 Texans 24

I’ll take “Hypocrisy” for 200, Alex.

Not sure why a preview to a game has to start off with a giant Arby’s melt about the attitude of most Texans fans. Congrats on not seeing the silver lining there, dude.

As for the game, Colts took some tough losses with their defense this week, so some personnel will be seeing a lot of minutes this Sunday which could bode well for the Texans running and passing game. I think the Colts will do everything they can to stick to their Cover 2 scheme, but Houston will force them up near the LOS when they start throwing some quick screens for Slaton and Johnson. I’m pretty certain Shanny and Kubes do not see eye-to-eye on the gameplan for Sunday when the offense is on the field, though. Kubes will want to run, and run often. I think Rat Jr. wants to just air it out and then run. We’ll see what direction they go in. Bottom line, points will be scored.

I don’t see the Colts trying to establish a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball. Peyton will find the mismatch and exploit the inconsistencies that is the Texans pass coverage. They’ve looked really good at times and have look horrible at others. Dunte Robinson needs to play like a beast. Pollard and and the LB core better figure out how to cover Clarke. Wayne and Clarke will be problems. Especially Clarke. I think he’ll go off in this game and it could open things up on some sideline streaks should Clarke just thrash the Texans D in the middle of the field.

The Colts win – if Peyton and Clarke connect early and often and they force Houston’s offense to dink and dunk all day. Bethea and Sanders are good tacklers, so if Houston can’t get vertical, then they will have drives that stall with the short passing attack.

The Texans win – if they can force Peyton up in the pocket have to throw more quickly than what he is used to. Shutdown Wayne or Clarke and they have a chance to hold the Colts to a modest passing attack. The run defense continues its recent success. Schaub and company play mistake free football. That includes Slaton not putting the ball on the carpet for the first time in what seems a decade of fumblitis.

History sides with the Colts, but Houston will give them all they can handle.

Colts by a FG