Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Picks and Predictions September 8th 2024

Texans Open Season, Defend Division Title Against Colts

The Houston Texans are kicking off their 2024 NFL season as the reigning AFC South champions, taking on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday in a crucial divisional clash. With Colts head coach Shane Steichen entering his second season, the pressure is on to start strong against a division rival.

Colts Look to Break Season Opener Struggles

The Indianapolis Colts are eager to reverse a frustrating trend: they haven’t won a season opener in the last 10 attempts (0-9-1). This streak includes a 20-20 tie against Houston two years ago and a 2020 loss to Jacksonville—who, coincidentally, went on to lose 15 straight after that Week 1 victory.

Last year, the Colts fell 31-21 to the Jaguars in their opener, which also marked the NFL debut of 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson. Unfortunately, Richardson’s promising rookie season was cut short by a shoulder injury after just four games, and the team turned to Gardner Minshew, who has since moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Now, Richardson is back, fully healthy and ready to lead the Colts’ offense. The game plan will heavily feature Richardson’s dual-threat abilities alongside star running back Jonathan Taylor, who returns after dealing with injury issues.

Texans Ready to Defend AFC South Title

The Houston Texans enter Week 1 brimming with confidence as the defending AFC South champs, led by second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. After a stellar rookie campaign where he exceeded expectations, Stroud is set to lead the Texans to another successful season.

This year, the Texans have added some firepower to their offense. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs joins the team after an impressive stint in Buffalo, and running back Joe Mixon is now in the backfield. Both players bring a wealth of experience and versatility, making Houston’s offense even more dangerous.

Diggs, who struggled with production late in the 2023 season, is eager for a fresh start in Houston. “I wasn’t in a good mental space, and that obviously wasn’t good for me,” Diggs admitted. “That’s when things had to start shaking out.”

The Texans are hoping to mirror the success of the Buffalo Bills, who built around their young quarterback Josh Allen. With Stroud, Diggs, and Mixon leading the way, Houston has its sights set on defending its division title and making a deep playoff run.

Key Matchups and Challenges

The Colts finished last season with a top-10 offense, averaging 23.3 points per game, despite Richardson missing most of the year. However, their defense struggled, ranking 28th in points allowed at 24.4 points per game. They’ll have to step up to handle Houston’s new-look offense in this Week 1 showdown.

For the Texans, Stroud will aim to build on last year’s success by utilizing his new weapons. Mixon’s versatility and Diggs’ big-play ability will be crucial as Houston looks to exploit the Colts’ defense. Indianapolis, meanwhile, will have to contain this revamped Texans offense to avoid starting the season with another loss.

Though the Colts hold a 32-11-1 edge in the all-time series, the Texans have had recent success in Indianapolis, winning their last two meetings at Lucas Oil Stadium, including a 23-19 win in January that clinched them a playoff spot.

What to Watch For

With both teams eager to start the season strong, this Week 1 matchup could have major playoff implications down the line. The Colts are looking to snap their season opener losing streak and gain momentum with Anthony Richardson back under center. Meanwhile, the Texans are determined to defend their AFC South title and prove they’re still the team to beat in the division.

This game will set the tone for the season, making it a must-watch divisional showdown between two teams with high hopes for 2024.