Looking Forward to Colts V. Texans In Week One: Matchup That Excites Me

by shake n bake on Sep 3, 2010 12:15 PM EDT in 2010 Colts Analysis

With a winless preseason in the books (first since 2005) we finally have the opener in sight. The Colts open their season in just 9 days, 1pm eastern time next Sunday, at Houston. Even before TC opened everyone had one eye trained on the start of the real season, and one matchup has had me drooling for months now.

Dallas Clark vs Whatever the Texans throw at him

Last year Clark shredded the Texans D for 183 yards and a TD on 23 receptions in the two divisional matchups. Week 8 Clark was a reality check for DROY to be Brian Cushing. The Texans manned Cushing up on Clark with the (predictable) result of a career high 14 receptions and Clark's 2nd of his two 100 yard games last season. The Texans D didn't fare much better Week 12 as Clark caught 9 for 63 with a TD.

Clark's 100 reception, 1,106 yard, 10 TD, 2009 season was impressive, but prorating his performance against the Texans out to a full 16 games gives a 184 reception, 1,464 yard, 8 TD season monster of a year.

...and week 1 the Texans will be without one of the key players used to "contain" Clark last year. Brian Cushing's PED suspension will have him sidelined for the Colts' and Texans' first matchup. Houston's 1st rounder Kareem Jackson rose through their thin secondary to a starting spot, so will probably be needed on the outside against the Colts deep WR corps leaving WLB Zach Diles, backup LB Xavier Adibi, or one of the Texans young, inexperienced and lightly regarded slot corners to face Clark if the Texans want to keep the cover-2 over the top that's been a fixture of Ds facing Peyton Manning since 2006.

Also working in the Colts favor is the addition of Brody Eldridge. In previous years the most effective way to take Clark out of the receiving game was to get so much pressure that the Colts hold Clark in to block (see the Ravens game last year). With a fantastic in-line blocker on the roster and seeing 1st team snaps in preseason the Colts have another option for helping an overwhelmed tackle that keeps Clark out running patterns.

A more seasoned Cushing seemed by far the Texans best option to slow Clark, but without him it seems quite likely he'll rack up another big game on Houston.

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Comments

Have a bad feeling

I have a bad feeling about this game. Saturday, and if CJ comes back, it will take a while to get used to the intensity of the Texans’ D. If Ugoh plays, Mario Williams will eat his lunch.

Our secondary, I just do not see it keep up with the Texans’ offense.

I expect the Texans to win a close one. Hate to say that but the Colts will have to win a shootout since I do not see major defensive possibilities with the Colts unless our D-line pressure shows me something I have not seen yet in pre-season against the starters, that will be the difference. Good D-line pressure can overcome an above average secondary and make it look good.

by chad72 on Sep 3, 2010 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Powers had his lone INT against the Texans, covering A Johnson. He will do well.

Freeney and Mathis are healthy and fresh, and the backup DEs are better, than ever. Last year’s #3 Brock, couldn’t even make this team. Schaub will be under pressure and at least in the first game, Bob and Antoine will both play.

by Ty46 on Sep 3, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a good feeling

about this game. It’s the Texans. ’Nuff said.

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not comfortable writing off the Texans so glibly.

No offense, of course. What I’m trying to say is that there’s nothing inherent to the Houston Texans that keeps on allowing Indy to beat them; in the last couple of seasons, Indy has had to earn it each time. And we all have to admit, some of those games Indy came close to losing (we all recall the “Rosencopter” game).

They’re no punching bag, and Indy has to work to beat them. Plus, they have a genuinely decent offense with Schaub at the helm.

Again, not trying to pick a fight here. I’m just noting that I don’t think anyone should overlook Houston. They’re overdue to hang one on Indy. I still believe the Colts can and will win, but it’s by no means a guaranteed thing.

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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Sep 3, 2010 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I was kind of joking

and kind of serious. 16 wins out of 17 attempts is a pretty good track record. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL; we did lose that Christmas Eve game against them. But, I still feel confident. The Texans just seem to have a way of throwing away games. Hope it continues.

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I had bad feelings for most of 2009

Against the Dolphins, Patriots, Texans (both times), Ravens (both times), @ the Titans, etc. And you know what? They had the same results each time — it’s natural for the Colts, especially after so many close games and last-minute comebacks. I know I’m not the only one who shaved a few years off of my life from watching this team.

We’re going to over-think pretty much every game, especially the season opener, as it’s the first truly meaningful time they’ll step on the field in seven months. We have a suspect o-line. Our d-line can’t get enough pressure. We have a thin secondary (I actually disagree with you on this one). You know what? They have plenty of faults too. Their LB corps is awful. Their o-line isn’t much better than ours. Their secondary will get picked apart. Also, if you weren’t sure, Peyton Manning > Matt Schaub.

Call it cautious optimism, but I’m looking forward to this game, especially because I’ll be at the game. My biggest concern isn’t whether the d-line will get enough pressure or if the o-line can make enough room for our running game and protect Manning… it’s which jersey I should wear. #18, #21, or #85?

by strootster on Sep 3, 2010 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

reply-fail :\

by strootster on Sep 3, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

wear #21!

"We ARE going to our own private island, Chris: it's called the State Fucking Fair!"

by naptown_ninja on Sep 3, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

...it is coming...

real. football. is coming.

WOOO!!!

can’t wait till the morning crews pick against the colts every week. like last year. and the year before. and the year before…

I've never seen a supernova blow up, but if it's anything like my old Chevy Nova, it'll light up the night sky. - Fry

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 3, 2010 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

For the record, Mario Williams is the Texans’ LDE, not RDE. He lines up against Diem, not Johnson/Ugoh.

We rise. They fall.
Proud to have my own tag on KSK
http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com

by MonkeyBusiness on Sep 3, 2010 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

He plays both sides

Expect him to line up on different sides in different situations

"We ARE going to our own private island, Chris: it's called the State Fucking Fair!"

by naptown_ninja on Sep 3, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

True

Mario will line up both sides… and don’t count out Antonio Smith nor Connor Barwin. Expect to see some over-pursuit, close calls, and one too many bites on draw and play action fakes. I will let you colts fans know this Rick Smith is going to be more aggressive this year than last, last year he was trying to establish a base to his style of D expect a few more blitzes and expect at least one sack in the first game. as for our secondary, while young have quite a bit of talent. i expect a few growing pains by our secondary the first couple of weeks while they get set in real game mode.

I for one Expect another shootout (close game at the end) a few differences from last year to this, We might actually have a running game!!! YAY!!! Andre Friggin Johnson will be out to earn his monies. Expect less mental mistakes by Schaub (errant throws that lead to picks) a Stronger O-line than last year with a few from the 08 squad back from injury. no Cushing for the first game at least, and Benard Pollard just being a scary ass mofo!

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on Sep 4, 2010 6:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I am in no way claiming a Texans W

i am just stating that the Texans team wont just roll over to Indy… and i am glad you wrote this and not BBS shake, at least you correctly stated Cushing’s suspension…

"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!

by Taco Joe on Sep 4, 2010 6:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Are You Ready?

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 3, 2010 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

Guys, I do have to admit, there's one thing that sucks about the first game.

It’s not this Sunday. It’s the week after.

Time machine, activate!…

…

… faster, please.

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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Sep 3, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

we have college football and the Thursday opener to tide us over

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." -Isaac Asimov

by shake n bake on Sep 3, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

ah...

time again to root against teams like Notre Dame… and Iowa.

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 3, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, but I'm a Hoosier alum

You can guess just how excited I get about my alma mater’s football games.

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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Sep 3, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

They are at least (according to FO) they are better than Iowa State!

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/varsity-numbers/2010/varsity-numbers-updated-f-projections

So I would call them watchable. Not sure I could tolerate watching anyone worse than ISU though.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." -Isaac Asimov

by shake n bake on Sep 3, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

WOOO!!!

more games like last year! We jump out to early leads, only to lose cause our defense can’t stop anyone!

wooo… :(

Go Colts!

by Marked Hoosier on Sep 3, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

What's more:

Lynch is implementing a 3-4 defense this year. So the players are going to be working out the kinks of playing differently. It won’t be full time – the base D will still be a 4-3 – but the point is that there’s now a change in the way things are done.

It is possible that different ends up being better. It might spur more enthusiasm, better play. Who knows? But I’m a little cynical, to be honest. They missed enough assignments playing a 4-3; a 3-4 might give them just new and different ways to miss assignments and be out of position.

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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."

Roger Ebert, Transformers review.

by E.M.H. on Sep 4, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions