Opponent Preview: Detroit Lions face Houston Texans in Week 12, Indianapolis Colts in Week 13
Week 12 and 13 will see the Detroit Lions welcome a rare visit by the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts to Ford Field.
Both sides rarely face the Lions and each will put up unique challenges to Detroit.
Week 12: Houston Texans
2011 saw the Houston Texans show grit and determination as they faced injuries after injuries to their quarterbacks yet still managed to claw their way into the playoffs.
Starting quarterback Matt Schaub picked up a season ending injury in Week 10 after guiding the Texans to a 7-3 record.
Backup quarterback, Matt Leinart took over but he too went out in week 12 to a broken collarbone with T.J Yates filling in.
Yates handled himself well and led the Texans to a 10-6 finish and into the playoffs.
The Texans went all the way to the division round of the playoffs but were knocked out by Baltimore Ravens.
This year too, the Texans will give a tough time to opponents and the Lions will have to be at their best to win this encounter.
Head-to-Head
It is rare to see a game between the Texans and Lions and this year will be just the third meeting between the two teams.
Both teams have won a single game each in their previous encounters.
Week 13: Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts will start this season with their brand new number one draft pick quarterback, Andrew Luck.
Since releasing Manning, the Colts have undergone massive change and Luck will now be asked to fill in as the face of the franchise in his first NFL season.
The rookie quarterback is highly rated and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the much tougher environs of the NFL.
Two of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks will take on each other in this encounter and this game has all the settings of an epic battle.
Last year the Colts ended up 2-14 in the regular season as Manning did not take a single snap due to his neck injury.
With Luck leading the offence it will be a surprise if the Colts did not improve.
Head-to-Head
The Colts and Lions last played each other in 2008 and both teams have changed greatly in the intervening four years.
Peyton Manning has left the franchise while the Lions finally made it to the playoffs.
Both teams have faced-off 40 times with the Lions winning 18 while Indianapolis won 20.
Two games remained tied.
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