The Tantalizing Ten: Texans Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (6-7) play a massive divisional game with the Texans (6-7)?
The NFL's best defensive player has 13.5 sacks this season in another All-Pro year. Now, Watt broke his left hand last week in practice so he has that clubbed up. Against the Patriots last week, Watt wasn't his typical disruptive self play-after-play. Will the Colts be able to handle Watt again in 2015?
The Colts aren't tipping their hand for a starting quarterback this week. We do know that Charlie Whitehurst is definitely the most healthy. Even if Matt Hasselbeck starts Sunday, Whitehurst has to be ready for anything, potentially being thrust into duty to help the Colts win a must-have Week 15 game.
We did not see Vontae Davis shadow DeAndre Hopkins in the teams' first meeting. Davis was nursing an ankle injury, but still played after being a true game-time decision in a short week. With the day Hopkins had in early October, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Davis having some shadow duties on Sunday afternoon.
There's no denying the Colts didn't allow J.J. Watt to wreck their Week Five meeting earlier this season. For the only time in 2015, Watt finished that contest with no solo tackles and no sacks. Joe Reitz played a big part in that at his right tackle spot. With Anthony Castonzo back this week, that would definitely help the Colts line get back to their normal look.
There's not a receiver in the NFL who means more to their offense than DeAndre Hopkins. The budding star had 11 catches for 169 yards in the first matchup this season. The Colts chose not to shadow Hopkins in early October, but that could definitely change this time around.
Back in Week Five, Frank Gore's season-high 22 carries for 98 rushing yards was a huge reason why the Colts won at the Texans on a short week. The Colts relied heavily on Gore with a sick quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck. With the injury uncertainty at quarterback again this week, the Colts need for Gore and the running game to get going.
Texans fans have nightmares thinking about what T.Y. Hilton has done to them in seven meetings. Hilton was the Colts biggest producer last week in Jacksonville, hitting on a couple of key chunk plays. The Colts desperately need that type of big play ability out of Hilton, even if it's going to come against a team who will undoubtedly have extra attention coming No. 13's way.
The Houston Texans starting quarterback on Sunday has plenty of ties to the Indianapolis area. T.J. Yates was born in Indianapolis and his grandfather, Gene, still lives in Anderson (home of the Colts Training Camp). Can Yates handle the pressure of trying to lead the Texans to their first ever win in Indianapolis (0-13 all-time)?
In early October, two interceptions from Mike Adams both came in the red zone (one to start the game, one to end the game). Adams has returned to the lineup and forced another turnover last week in Jacksonville. Any shots the Texans take down the field on Sunday will likely have to come with Adams roaming that back end.
In recent weeks, Trent Cole has produced for the Colts pass rush. Cole was a part of the Colts front that really got after Blake Bortles in the first half last week. For the Colts defense, they must continue to try and eliminate the big plays which have led to giving up at least 45 points the past two seasons.
