Well… here we are folks. After 14 weeks, only three remain before the NFL regular season comes to an end and your Houston Texans are still in good position to make this season worth something.
Houston (6-7) will travel to a familiar Lucas Oil Stadium and take on their division rival Indianapolis Colts in a game that has massive playoff implications this week. Both teams are currently tied atop the AFC South and will be looking to take control of the division race on Sunday.
That is the compelling storyline surrounding this game. The truth however, is not as exciting. This game features two backup quarterbacks, one of whom wasn’t in the league two months ago, playing for two mediocre football teams, both riding two-game losing streaks and will most likely result in a final score of 13-16. That’s the truth.
Although he returned to practice this week, the Colts (6-7) will again be without the services of their Pro Bowl QB Andrew Luck, as he will remain on the sideline with a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle.
Matt Hasselbeck, the 40-year-old backup will start in his place although he too could be sidelined as he has been dealing with rib, shoulder, and neck injuries. Next up on the Colts’ depth chart is Charlie Whitehurst, who has been given reps in practice this week.
Luck has now missed six total games and his absence may have been felt the most in these last couple weeks. The Colts are coming off an embarrassing 51-16 loss at Jacksonville last week, immediately following a 45-10 drumming the week before against Pittsburgh. Houston fans are hoping for similar results this week and to put an end to the franchise’s nightmarish 13-game losing streak in Indianapolis.
The captain leading the charge for the Texans will be T.J Yates, making his second start of the season. Born in Indianapolis, Yates will look for some home cooking to keep his new home city’s playoff dreams alive. Head Coach Bill O’Brien has trust Yates can get the job done this Sunday.
“He’s been a quarterback in two wins for us this year, and he’s played here before, so he’s comfortable with his surroundings here and he’s a pro,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He prepares really hard. He can do the things we need him to do to beat the Colts.”
Key Matchup: Charlie Whitehurst vs Texans Defense
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said he believes Hasselbeck will play Sunday. Silly me, I’m going to disagree going off the fact he was wearing a sling on his left arm during practice Wednesday. Also, just in case I forgot to mention, he’s 40.
That means Charlie Whitehurst will be in charge of the Colts offense and more importantly, will be matched up with J.J. Watt and company. In their last two losses Hasselbeck has taken some hits in the pocket leading to Whitehurst taking some snaps for the Colts. In those games his combined stat line reads 6-of-16 for 59 yards and one interception.
His last official start was last season in Week 17, playing for the Tennessee Titans and coincidentally matched up with the Colts; he went 12-for-28 for 72 yards and a touchdown. Nothing intimidating here.
Despite dropping their last two games, the Houston defense has shown promise in the last four weeks, reminding Houston fans why there was optimism entering the season. The team’s playoff hopes could very well rest on the shoulders of this defense and a matchup with Whitehurst could get them back on track.
