The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts have been bottom-tier throughout the 2022 NFL season.
The two clubs met in Week 1 and finished with a 20-20 tie at NRG Stadium. The AFC South rivals conclude their season with a rematch Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Frank Reich was still the coach for the Colts on Opening Day, but was fired after Week 9 when Indianapolis dropped to 3-5-1. Interim coach Jeff Saturday wasn’t even on the staff yet, but wants to see the Colts play with “intensity” against the Texans.
“The difference when you finish with a win as opposed to finishing with a loss and what that does, irrespective of your season, just the idea as you move forward to the offseason and to getting prepared, how far that really goes,” Saturday said. “So, trying to encourage those guys to play with intensity, finishing strong, another opportunity to go out there and play with your brothers because again, whether you finish hoisting a trophy or finish the way we’re finishing, teams change.”
Draft positioning is a slight consideration for both clubs. The Texans are currently on pace to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. If Houston beat the Colts and the Chicago Bears lost to the Minnesota Vikings, the Bears would supplant Houston as possessors of the No. 1 overall pick. The Colts are currently projected to have the fifth overall pick, and a win would push them further back in the top-10.
Nevertheless Saturday, who mentioned, “a large amount of people go different places,” which may even be an allusion to his own plans with the organization after the 2022 season, said the Colts have a chance to play to their full potential.
“You have one more opportunity,” said Saturday. “Let’s not waste it. Let’s take full advantage of it and go play our best ball and play to the potential that our team can play to.”
