WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
FORECAST: Mostly sunny, 88 degrees, 8 mph winds (indoors)
FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @bigsargesportz, @texans_thoughts, @johnhcrumpler @thetexanswire
LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]
WATCH: CBS (Tom McCarthy & Tiki Barber)
RED — Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
BLUE — New England at Miami
GREEN — Baltimore at NY Jets
YELLOW — Cleveland at Carolina
BROWN — Indianapolis at Houston
10. Davis Mills' jersey number
It is all about Mills this season, starting with Week 1. If the second-year quarterback is able to make smart decisions about ball distribution, which includes but isn’t limited to, spreading the ball around while going through reads or checking out of or into runs, it should help the Texans maintain drives and keep the Colts’ offense off the field.
9. Matt Ryan's rank for time in the pocket
Ryan had 2.4 seconds per drop back last year, tied for the ninth-shortest in the NFL. Some of it may have been due to his ability to get the ball out quick. Nevertheless the Texans have to apply pressure and get Ryan off base. Numbers suggest it could have been due to the Falcons’ inability to protect him as he was the second-most pressured quarterback last year with 172 pressures.
8. Indianapolis' rank for yards after the catch surrendered
The Colts gave up 1,848 yards after the catch last year, the eighth-fewest in the NFL. The dump offs from Mills may not go very far, which means the second-year signal caller can’t be afraid to drive the ball down the field.
7. Indianapolis' rank for sacks
Even though the Colts defense was good in other areas, pass rush wasn’t as strong. The Colts were tied with the New York Jets for the seventh-fewest sacks last season with 33. If Houston can give Mills time, he can find the best decision with the football.
6. Brandin Cooks' touchdowns
Cooks produced six receiving touchdowns for Houston last year. The nine-year veteran was absent throughout preseason, and understandably so. However, the Texans need Cooks to show up in a big way if they are to beat the Colts.
5. Jonathan Taylor's rank for yards per carry
The NFL rushing champion dominated on the ground with a 5.5 yards per carry, tied for the fifth-highest in the league. If Houston wants any chance to start 1-0, they will need to ensure Taylor isn’t feasting on the ground.
4. Taylor's rushing touchdowns against Houston in 2021
Even though Taylor’s yards per carry is dangerous, arguably where he hurt Houston the most was with his rushing touchdowns. In fact, it is where he hurt any of the Colts’ opponents as he had 18 rushing touchdowns on the season. When the Colts get inside the red zone, Houston has to key on Taylor and not allow him into the end zone.
3. Houston's yards per carry
The Texans averaged 3.4 yards per carry last year, the absolute lowest in the NFL. If they can stay above the three-yard mark, it will feel like improvement for fans. Nevertheless the run game has to be dominant if Houston wants any chance to beat the Colts.
2. Matt Ryan's jersey number
The Colts may have more promise at quarterback since Andrew Luck’s last season in 2018, although Philip Rivers wasn’t too shabby in 2020. Nevertheless the Colts have solved the conundrum under center and the position is a plus for them, not a wash or a deterrent. The Texans defense will have to find ways for Ryan to look a little more like Jacoby Brissett.
1. Raiders' rank for blitzes in 2021
What do the Raiders have to do with anything? Indianapolis defensive coordinator Gus Bradley held the same job for Las Vegas last year, and the Raiders defenses blitzed 82 times, the absolute fewest in the NFL. Expect the Colts defense to similarly not dial up blitzes.
