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Time is now if Texans wish to overtake the Colts; Colts vs. Texans preview

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Time is now if Texans wish to overtake the Colts; Colts vs. Texans preview
We hear every year that the Houston Texans are primed to take out the Indianapolis Colts. We hear about the talent the Texans have, which they do, and how the young Texans will finally take down the older, wiser Colts. Simply put, if they want to do that, now’s the time; enough of the close calls and the positives seen from the Houston Texans. The Texans have to get it done right now. They'll have a great chance on Sunday against Indianapolis in the season opener for both teams.

The Colts have won 15 of the 16 meetings between these two teams. The Texans have always made it close but they seem to implode in the fourth quarter each and every time. In 2008, they blew a 17-point lead late. Last year they missed a game-tying field goal in the final seconds and blew a 13-point lead in the other meeting.
Where does the Colts’ offence start? Take a guess; Peyton Manning will look to continue his dominance over the Texans, spreading the ball to his dynamic receiving corps. Anthony Gonzalez is back from injury and will join Reggie Wayne while Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie will contribute significantly. Manning will also look to his tight end Dallas Clark for some big plays up the middle. It’s the same old story with Manning and the Colts; you know what’s coming, now try to stop it.
The Colts were ranked dead last in rushing the ball last year so don’t expect much from running backs Joseph Addai or Donald Brown. The Colts will throw the ball to their heart’s desire. The Colt’s only concern may be the injury of centre Jeff Saturday, who leads the group in charge of protecting Manning.
The Texans will be without linebacker Brian Cushing, who’s serving a four-game suspension and is a huge loss in a game like this. Defensive end Mario Williams will look to pressure Manning, but Manning seems to be so good at avoiding a sack.
The Texans offence should test the Colts’ secondary as well. Matt Schaub led the NFL in passing yards last season and will look to the league’s best wide receiver, Andre Johnson. Johnson is able to pick apart any defence. Schaub will also welcome back the return of tight end Owen Daniels, who missed half of last season with a knee injury.
Houston is almost just as unlikely to not employ a solid running game as Steve Slaton is inconsistent and Derrick Ward is coming off a bad season in Tampa Bay. Ben Tate is out for the season so the Texans offence may be one-dimensional again.
The Colts will look to rush Matt Schaub with the deadly team of defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.  The Colts’ defence also welcomes back cornerback Bob Sanders who has missed most of the last two seasons with injuries. The Colts will likely be without linebacker Gary Brackett, their defensive captain.
Even though it’s only week one, this game already has important implications in the AFC South. The Colts are in total control of this division and if the Texans want to snatch it, they have to get it done this Sunday. Being competitive isn’t good enough anymore, close isn’t good enough anymore. The Texans have to win Sunday or they will continue to play second fiddle to the Colts all season. 

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