The Indianapolis Colts can clinch the AFC South with a win against the Houston Texans this week. The Texans and MVP candidate J.J. Watt won't go down easily, however.
Texans vs. Colts 2014 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Andrew Luck squares off against J.J. Watt.
Watt has been the runaway favorite for Defensive Player of the Year since early November. The defensive end has four total touchdowns this year -- three on the offensive side and a pick-six. His dominance has been such that the Texans have produced a consistent pass rush without No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. Somehow, the six-year, $100 million contract that Watt signed this offseason already looks like a bargain.
The offense hasn't performed quite as well, however. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was benched in early November for poor play. His replacement, Ryan Mallett, didn't fare much better, lasting only two starts before he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury. Fitzpatrick has improved since returning, but he remains a limited quarterback. That places additional pressure on Arian Foster and the offensive line to carve out big gains on the ground. Foster, for the most part, has managed that burden well, rushing for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
As for the Colts, Andrew Luck continues to put up astronomical passing numbers. His 4,305 passing yards leads the league, as do his 36 touchdown passes. Luck is also is completing a career high 66.9 percent of his passes. His main target has been deep threat T.Y. Hilton, whose 1,295 receiving yards rank third in the NFL behind only Julio Jones and Antonio Brown. Hilton also ranks near the top of the league with 20 plays of 20 yards or more.
The running game has been an issue for Indianapolis since Ahmad Bradshaw broke his leg. Trent Richardson is averaging just 3.3 yards per attempt, an appallingly low number for a tailback taken with the third overall pick just two years ago. Daniel Herron has been a little more effective, but he has fumbled twice in the three games since Bradshaw's injury. If the Colts are to make a title run this year, they'll have to do it in spite of their ground attack.
The Texans enter Sunday with a record of 7-6. The Colts come in at 9-4.
How to watch
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile| NFL Sunday Ticket
Odds
The Colts are 7.5-point favorites with an over/under of 49, according to OddsShark.
Further reading
For more on the Texans, check out Battle Red Blog. For additional coverage of the Colts, head on over to Stampede Blue.
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