The Tantalizing Ten: Texans Edition
Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts head to Houston for Thursday Night Football?
All four times Hilton has played the Texans, he's turned in impressive days of work. Hilton has never had less than 78 receiving yards in four career games against Houston. The highlight of those coming last year, where three Hilton touchdowns in the last 16 minutes of the game erased an 18-point, second half, road deficit.
The Texans do a very good job of moving Watt around but he typically lines up opposite the right side of an offensive line. That means Cherilus will get his chances against the All-Pro. Cherilus said the preparation for Watt began Sunday night as he was already looking at Texans film just hours after the Colts Week Five victory.
Just like last week, the Colts corners will be tested against a formidable receiving duo. While seven-time Pro Bowler Andre Johnson gets a ton of the attention, and deservedly so, 2013 first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins leads the Texans in receiving yards. What that means is Toler will once again have a difficult matchup, no matter which Texans receiver lines up across from him.
There might not be a defensive player in the NFL who is game planned against more than Watt. In 2014, Watt leads the NFL with 16 quarterback hits. The Colts have done a decent job in neutralizing Watt the last three meetings (just one sack for the All-Pro).
Luck heads back to the area he spent his high school days. Last year in Houston, the Colts quarterback orchestrated an 18-point second half comeback in the first game without Reggie Wayne. Red zone efficiency for Luck and the offense will be something to watch this week as the Texans defense ranks No. 3 in the NFL in that category and has forced nine turnovers in the red area.
Brown was one of the highlights from the Colts staunch defensive effort last week. From deep coverage, to open field tackles and blitzing, Brown showed off his elite athleticism against the Ravens. Now, Brown will try to take his starting safety act on the road.
For one half last year in Houston, Johnson put together one of the best 30-minute efforts in NFL history. The Colts took him out of the game for nearly the entire second half though in earning the comeback victory. Johnson leads the Texans in receptions in 2014, but the seven-time Pro Bowler has yet to score a touchdown.
Freeman returned to the lineup last week and played 83 percent of the defensive snaps against Baltimore. The middle of the Colts defense will be tested on Thursday with Texans running back Arian Foster ranking third in the NFL in rushing yards, despite missing a game.
It was a coming out party for Werner last week. However, the step up in competition is significant with Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown blocking the blindside of Houston's Ryan Fitzpatrick this week. Will the Texans show any type of extra attention to where Werner lines up on Thursday?
The Colts will see a familiar face at quarterback on Thursday night in Fitzpatrick. In his two previous home starts against the Colts, Fitzpatrick put together very solid outings. In 2014, Fitzpatrick has been prone to sacks and has thrown five touchdowns to six interceptions.
