Houston Texans Daily Roundup: A season sweep of the Colts is on the horizon

The Houston Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts earlier this season, and a win this Sunday would really help in the path to secure a division title, plus give the Texans a 10th straight win.

There is no problem for Houston anymore. In fact, the Houston Texans are well on their way to achieving success in ways that couldn’t be fathomed after the first three games of the season. Since going winless in those first three games, the Texans have taken over the AFC South and won nine straight times.

That streak began with a 37-34 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, a team that happens to be the opponent of Houston this Sunday in Week 14. This won’t be an easy win for the Texans as the Colts are fighting for their playoff lives, standing with a 6-6 record after losing 6-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday.

More from Houston Texans News

• Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
• Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
• Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
• Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
• Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith

In their first meeting on Sept. 30, the Texans won with two overtime field goals by Ka’imi Fairbairn of 29 yards to tie the score and 37 yards to win the game as the overtime clock expired. Also in that game, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck finished 40-of-62 for 464 yards passing and four touchdowns. On the other side, Deshaun Watson was 29-of-42 for 375 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Texans.

This weekend’s game between the two division rivals should be exciting as well because there is a lot on the line for both teams.

The Texans are not only trying to gain on their AFC South first-place lead, but with four games remaining, they are still in contention for a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Houston has a 9-3 record, along with the New England Patriots and L.A. Chargers. Currently, the Texans are a No. 3 seed with the Patriots ahead of them because of the head-to-head win New England gained in Week 1. The Kansas City Chiefs are the current No. 1 seed with a record of 10-2 overall.

If the Texans can gain the season sweep against the Colts this Sunday, that would be huge moving along, and just as exciting, the winning streak would move to 10 consecutive victories. Here is more on the Texans as they prepare for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.

• Mark Lane of TexansWire.com wrote about the challenges head coach Bill O’Brien has with not letting his team be “overconfident,” with the article stating:

"“I just think the challenge is, ‘Hey, let’s watch this tape — the game from yesterday against Cleveland.’ Cleveland did a lot of things that we can really learn from,”"

What is great to watch with the Texans team is they are getting better each week, and though they are having some close games during the winning streak, the important part is they are winning in a variety of ways and are making the improvement needs to keep the streak going. They are playing confident, but they are also playing with a respect of knowing no game is a given either.

• Aaron Wilson of Chron.com has an article about the ball security of DeAndre Carter as the Texans are said to be concerned about that aspect of his game. Wilson wrote the following:

"“Carter has fumbled three times, losing none, on returns since joining the Texans off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles. Carter has averaged 23.7 yards per kickoff return and 10.6 yards per punt return …”"

This is an important aspect of the team for the Texans to be concerned about. The offensive is playing well, the defense is playing at a high level, so the special teams return game of the team has to be on point as well. Though the special teams play doesn’t jump off the page, it is very important and needs to be mistake-free, too. Fumbles can’t keep happening, even if the Texans are keeping possession, because it is too dangerous to chance on that many occasions.

• Sean Pendergast of the Houston Press gave his weekly four winners and four losers following the 29-13 win over the Browns in Week 13. One of the winners included Justin Reid and his play in the win. Pendergast wrote:

"“Once again, as he has in seemingly every game during this winning streak, Justin Reid made a highlight reel play, this time preventing the Browns from cutting the Texans lead to 26-14 in the third quarter …”"

Reid has been a great surprise this season, as he has to be in the conversation of Rookie of the Year for his overall season to this point. Reid has 60 tackles, one forced fumble and three interceptions, along with nine passes defensed. Also don’t forget his 101-yard Pick-6 this season as that leads the highlights for his argument to be a serious Rookie of the Year candidate.

• Tweet of the Day

It is safe to say a lot has happened since the last time the Texans have lost a game. This current streak has been exciting, there is still a lot at stake for the Texans in Week 14.

Games will continue to stay exciting as the franchise keeps working to qualify for the playoffs, and at this point of the season, that makes all of the season worth it.