Behind Enemy Lines: Indianapolis Colts

Before the Sunday Night Showdown, I go behind enemy lines with Evan Reller of Horseshoe Heroes for some Q&A on the Colts. You can read my answers to his questions here, but here are his insights on the Colts:

1. Andrew Luck has ten touchdowns, is he back to normal?

Luck certainly seems to be back to normal, and is even a bit improved. His interception rate is down but he’s holding the ball a bit longer than he used to. Couple that with the shaky offensive line, and we’ll see if it holds. Luckily Watt is out and the Colts don’t have to worry about him breaking Luck.

The problem is that Luck basically has to play flawlessly for the Colts to win and that hasn’t happened consistently.

2. Frank Gore continues to move up on the all-time rushing list. Against a Texans run defense that has struggled, how effective can he be?

Gore can be very effective, if he gets the right blocking. He was gashing the Chargers two weeks ago and was very efficient versus the Bears this past week. Gore is a workhorse and proven he still has value in the NFL. The Colts really need the ground game to be effective if only to take some of the burden off of Luck.

3. At receiver, TY Hilton usually goes off against the Texans. Meanwhile, Phillip Dorsett has not made a huge impact with Donte Moncrief out. Which of the two of them will be more effective in this game?

Hilton, because he always is effective versus Houston. The Colts haven’t really been using Dorsett properly this season and have been utilizing more two tight end sets with Moncrief out. Dorsett can do everything that Hilton does (and might even be a little faster) but smart money is on the latter leading the team in receptions and yardage.

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4. The Colts secondary is enduring some injuries right now. How big of a concern is that going against the Texans receivers?

The Colts could be without cornerbacks Patrick Robinson and Darius Butler this week, just after the first game they had with both of them back. The safeties are all healthy, and playing well as is Vontae Davis, but those two would obviously be a loss.

The bigger issue on defense, however, has been the horrible coverage skills of the linebackers. Opponents have been eating them alive underneath, and when coupled with atrocious tackling, it leads to big gains on short routes. The Texans should be able to easily dink and dunk on the Colts in the event Davis shuts down DeAndre Hopkins.

5. Name one guy on offense and one guy on defense that is under the radar that could have a big impact on this game.

On defense, safety Clayton Geathers. He’s been banged up this season but has played the past few games and is starting to turn into a playmaker.

On offense, probably tight end Jack Doyle. He’s given the Colts more than was expected and while he’s not a dynamic player, he’s been very consistent in both receiving and blocking.

6. What is your final score?

This could either be an ugly football game or a blow out with the Colts on the receiving end. I’m guessing the latter as I doubt they’ll have a good game plan or be ready to play. The Texans have been slumping a bit (or at least seem to be). But this should be a bounce back game for them with the division on the line and being at home.

Texans 31, Colts 21