Texans vs. Colts: Where is Indianapolis weak? We ask those who know best

Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best things about working at FanSided is the ability to speak with experts each week about who the Houston Texans will be facing. This week they are ready to get Week 5 kicked off in prime time on Thursday Night Football.

There is no better team to face on such a game than their division rival, and the same team that has dominated the AFC South in recent memory, the Indianapolis Colts. I was able to discuss the game with Evan Reller of the Colts page Horseshoe Heroes and get his take on the game.

RG: The AFC South has started out rather slow this season, and it is no secret the Colts are the team to beat. Do you see them turning things around the remainder of the year and walking away with this division, or will one of the other teams be able to capitalize on the slow start?

ER: The slow start has largely been a product of Andrew Luck playing poorly, and they will only go as far as he plays. So far this season we’ve only seen one really good quarter of football from him out of 12. There is no doubt that if he gets hot at any point in the year, they’ll be able to rattle off a few wins in a row and no reason to think he won’t figure it out (injury or not).

If the Colts win on Thursday, they’ll have the Titans and Texans at home and a road game versus the Jaguars. The best way to win the division is to defeat your division and they’d certainly be in a place to do so with another win. I don’t think the Colts have a great roster, there are too many holes and injuries are already piling up, but they can still win the division.

RG: Will Andrew Luck be able to go Thursday night, and if so, will he be at 100%?

ER: It certainly sounds like he might, possibly play. In all seriousness, I believe Luck will play but he won’t be at 100%. He has a subluxation (partial dislocation) of his right, throwing shoulder. There reportedly isn’t any structural damage (read: no sprain) but his muscle is bruised and it is a pain management issue. On Sunday it sounds like the pain was causing weakness in his passes. The Colts released their third string QB, Josh Johnson, on Monday and that would be a good indication that Luck will play.

Matt Hasselbeck did just enough to get a win at home against a Jags team that missed two field goals, but there’s no way he could pull off a road win against the Texans (and with the pass rush of JJ Watt).

Next: What is the Colts weakness?