The Houston Texans, sitting at 4-2 on the season, just came off a wild game in Kansas City where they upset the Chiefs 31-24.
The Colts come off their bye week where the week before they also shocked the league and upset the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Similar paths have led both of these teams to a two-loss record and a shot at first place in the AFC South on Sunday.
For the Colts to keep their success going, here are four players Indy must game plan for in order to take control of the division:
QB Deshaun Watson
Watson has emerged himself in the MVP discussion so far this season with 1,644 yards passing and 12 touchdowns. The difference in Watson’s game this year compared to last year is his protection has improved greatly.
Before the start of the season, Houston traded two first-round draft picks (2020 and 2021) and a 2021 second-round pick for Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills and two draft picks.
Tunsil has been monumental in keeping Watson’s left side safer this season, allowing him more time to throw and spread the ball to multiple receivers not just named DeAndre Hopkins.
Even with the added protection, Watson has still been sacked 18 times this season. It will be huge for the Colts pass rush to get after the mobile, dual-threat quarterback similarly to how they did against the Chiefs.
WR Will Fuller
If you would have told people in the offseason that the best receiver on the Texans this year would be Will Fuller instead of DeAndre Hopkins, you would be ridiculed. With Hopkins coming off a monster year in 2018, he drew more attention to himself in 2019 and has been limited by double coverage all season.
Fuller, however, has been operating in the shadows and always seems to find holes in the secondary to get open. On the season Fuller has hauled in 33 catches for 444 yards and three touchdowns. As Watson’s favorite deep option, it will be imperative for the Colts to account for him along with Deandre Hopkins. A tall task for a young and banged-up secondary.
LB Zach Cunningham
The Texans have struggled for the past few seasons to develop a solid linebacker corps behind a dangerous pass rush. With Cunningham, however, they have talent and depth at one of the most important positions on the field.
Houston overall has been better at stopping the run this year and with Cunningham leading the team in tackles at 46, it will be very important for Indianapolis to pick up the speedy linebacker and keep their run game dominant.
S Tashaun Gipson Sr.
No player on this Texans defense has busted onto the scene like Gipson this year. Along with 24 tackles, he leads the team in interceptions with two on the season. One of those picks was a 79-yard touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5.
Gipson has been a ball hawk this season with four passes defended as well. He has also played a factor in the run game, racking up tackles and even having one tackle for a loss.
The talented safety could be an issue on Sunday is Jacoby Brissett isn’t careful. The Colts love to go downfield against the Texans, especially with T.Y. Hilton. Look for the matchup of Gipson and Hilton down the field as the Texans try to limit the man who has burned them in years past.
