INDIANAPOLIS – Curious on some key numbers ahead of the Week Six matchup between the Colts (2-3) and Texans (3-2)?
Here are 10 numbers to keep an eye on with the Colts and Texans kicking off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday:
3
The number of sacks the Texans have had with J.J. Watt off the field in two games this season. Watt played three games in 2016 before going on injured reserve. In those three games, the Texans had 10 sacks. With Watt now on injured reserve the last two weeks, the Texans have had 3 sacks. Edge rusher Whitney Mercilus has been a menace with or without Watt. Since Week Six of 2015, Mercilius leads the NFL with 15.5 sacks.
6
The consecutive divisional games the Texans have won. Since the Colts won in Houston last season, the Texans have rattled off six a in a row against the AFC South. Obviously, this was a major reason why the Texans captured the division last season. The Colts head to Houston this week with the early claim to the top of the division on the line. After Sunday, the Colts will stay in the AFC South next week with a trip to Tennessee.
8
The number of tackles for loss this season for Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, which leads the NFL. The 2014 No. 1 overall pick is clearly healthy and has stepped up with J.J. Watt out of the lineup. Last week against Minnesota, Clowney had four tackles for loss. Yes, the attention is not needed for Watt this week, but you could slide that over to Clowney.
11
The career-high number of catches Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins had last year against the Colts. With uncertainty at the Colts' No. 2 cornerback position this week, will the Colts use Vontae Davis in a shadow role on Hopkins? Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino said Davis won't shadow Hopkins all game, but expect that matchup for large portions of the game. Both team's top playmakers reside at the No. 1 wide receiver position.
16
The number of quarterbacks who have thrown more interceptions than Andrew Luck this season. Luck has just three interceptions in 205 pass attempts this season. And Luck's done that with having the third-most attempts this year. Luck has been really solid this year and has operated under a lot of pressure and sans Donte Moncrief for nearly four of the five games.
16.4
The number of points per game the Texans are averaging this season, which ranks 31st in the NFL. Despite all the new faces on the Houston offense in 2016, the Texans have really struggled in situational football. Houston is 31st in red zone offense and 32nd in goal to go situations.
51
The Super Bowl number for this year's version, played at NRG Stadium in Houston. Back in 2004, Houston hosted a Super Bowl with Adam Vinatieri hitting a game-winning field goal with the New England Patriots. This is the Colts' fourth straight trip to Houston for a primetime contest (2013-Sunday Night Football, 2014/2015-Thursday Night Football, 2016-Sunday Night Football).
98
The number of rushing yards Frank Gore had in last year's meeting down in Houston. The 98 yards from Gore in last year's win were the second most a Colts back has had since Vick Ballard eclipsed the 100-yard mark in Week 15 of 2012. Gore remains on pace for a 1,000-yard season here at the age of 33. If Gore did that, he would be the first back at least that age to reach 1,000 yards since 1984 (John Riggins).
183
The number of missed field goals the NFL has had since Adam Vinatieri's last miss. What a run Vinatieri has had in 38 straight makes. Vinatieri has made 22 such kicks during that span from at least 40 yards. Playing in Houston this week, Vinny made the game-winning field goal at the 2004 Super Bowl at then Reliant Stadium (now called NRG Stadium).
510
The number of receiving yards T.Y. Hilton has had in four career road games versus the Texans. Hilton has had his way with the Texans secondary. Two years ago, Hilton had a career-high 223 receiving yards on a Thursday night matchup in Houston. Hilton has been tremendous this season, doing it with Donte Moncrief sidelined for a large portion of 2016.
