How the Houston Texans match up with the Colts Post FA
By Josh McSwain
Special Teams
Nick Novak brought stability to the kicker position for the Texans last year after Randy Bullock was released. The Colts have had arguably the most stability at kicker of any team in the league recently with Adam Vinateri holding down the fort. He re-signed with the Colts this offseason and is still going strong. He’s missed only three field goals in the last two years. But he is back for his 21st season in the league and still one of the best.
Pat McAfee was one of the best punters in the league last season with a top five net average of 41.7 yards per kick and placed 28 of 85 punts inside the 20. He did have six touchbacks which was among the higher totals in the league, but still he outperformed Shane Lechler across the board.
The Colts had one of the best kickoff coverage units in the league last season, but one of the worst punt coverage units. The Texans were bottom half of the league in both. Keith Mumphery was respectable as a returner while Quan Bray handled the return duties for the Colts. Bray averaged over 27 yards per kickoff return and almost eight per punt return, both marks ahead of Mumphery.
The edge here goes to the Colts.