Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans Week 15 2012

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans 12/16/12 Game Preview of week 15 2012, Who would have “thunk” it?

NFL Team Match Up Stats

The Indianapolis Colts (9-4) are squarely in the position of reaching the NFL playoffs just a year removed from the departure of a certain quarterback with the funny first name. That said, their new QB has the surname of Luck. It has, however, been much more than chance that has brought the Colts to the postseason door. The season began with a somewhat embarrassing 41-21 defeat by the Chicago Bears in the Windy City. They came back nicely in their home opener beating the Minnesota Viking 23-20. They then dropped home game number two, 22-17 to a terrible herd of Jaguars from Jacksonville. After that, it was “game” on with them going 8-2 in the next 10.

The Houston Texans (11-2) have had an even smoother road to this point emerging victorious in their first 11 of 12 before being lit up 42-14 by another pretty good QB by the name of Brady and his bunch from New England on Monday night. The Texans have already clinched a playoff berth, but whether or not they’ll capture the divisional crown will have a lot to do with this game. The Colts trail the Texans by 2 games in the AFC South. A Houston win takes the division. An Indianapolis triumph clinches a trip to the playoffs for the Colts.

Game’s Key Football Players

Indianapolis beat a sorry Tennessee Titans squad 27-23 last week. They overcame a 13 point halftime deficit to pull out the “W”. Andrew Luck will be the key as he has been all season as to the fate awaiting his Colts vs. Houston. Luck has thrown for 3,792 yards thru 13 contests surpassing you know who as the leader for a Colts rookie. He is 2nd to only Cam Newton all time. While all eyes will be on Luck, Vick Ballard will need to establish the running game to keep the Texans “D” line from teeing off on the young quarterback. Ballard had a nice game against the Titans rushing for 94 yards on 19 carries for just under a 5 yard average. Houston’s defense will no doubt be anxious to redeem itself after being burned by Mr. Brady.

Houston failed to show up in Foxboro, Ma. Monday night. Their 42-14 loss to the Pats was very much indicative of how they played. They were behind 21 points at the half and literally watched New England put up another 21 before the game clock mercifully ran out of time. The only bright spot may have been wide receiver, Andre Johnson grabbing 8 throws from Matt Schaub for 95 yards. Otherwise Schaub was 19 of 32 for 232 yards and zero TD’s. Running back Arian Foster got his regularly schedule score for Houston with a 1 yard TD in the 3rd quarter.

So here we will be at 1:00ET on Sunday in Houston’s Reliant Stadium. The game will be televised on a regional basis by CBS. Amazingly, these 2 teams will meet twice in the next three weeks. Somehow the AFC scheduler must have foreseen these two teams both being in the thick of the postseason hunt. Will they meet again in the AFC Championship game? It’s not at all impossible.

Indy is ranked 8th in the league in passing, with Luck averaging 277 yards per game. Houston’s defense has surrendered 239 yards in the air putting them in the lower half of the NFL stats. If Luck takes advantage of a porous Houston secondary it could be a long day for the Texans. Interestingly enough, the teams switch sides when it comes to the running game. The Texans rank 8th rushing the ball (139 yds.) and the Colts have had some trouble stopping the run, sitting at 18th (121 yds.). Look for Arian Foster to have a big day for the Texans. Houston is second defending the run, allowing just 91 yards per contest. Vick Ballard will have his hands full.

Where To Place A Bet Online

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Game Betting Odds

• Indianapolis Colts: +9
• Houston Texans: -9

Game Prediction

I’m going with the underdog in this one. I’ll take Indianapolis, a 3-3 road team against the home (5-1) favored Texans. This one should be decided on the last possession of the game with Luck (the QB, not good fortune) hitting an open receiver in the end zone for a 27-21 Indy victory.

My Prediction – 27-21 Indianapolis Colts

Game Final Score

• Indianapolis Colts: 17
• Houston Texans: 29