Colts vs. Texans 2015 picks and predictions: Experts split due to quarterback questions

Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett's careers are oddly intertwined. It started in 2007, when Mallett's Michigan Wolverines beat Hoyer's Michigan State Spartans 28-24 in East Lansing. Mallett didn't have much to do with the win -- Chad Henne was the starter and Mallett was sacked and fumbled on one of a handful of plays -- and he left for Arkansas after that season.

Four years later, they were teammates, battling for the No. 2 job in New England. This time, Hoyer came out on top, although it was fairly meaningless, since neither of them was going to play unless Tom Brady blew a knee, retired or was suspended four games for possibly knowing that someone might have taken a football into a bathroom for immoral purposes.

It is another four years later, and the Houston Texans need one of them to step up and win the starting job. It hasn't gone well. Hoyer was pulled for Mallett in Week 1, Mallett was pulled for Hoyer in Week 4, and now Mallett has the starting job on a short leash while having to deal with injuries to two of his top three wide receivers.

Meet the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are minus-9 in turnovers, and with two quarterbacks listed as questionable heading into Thursday night -- Andrew Luck is injured while Matt Hasselbeck is sick -- they've had to sign 7-year journeyman Josh Johnson, who at one point also played a stint in the now-defunct United Football League with the Sacramento Mountain Lions.