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Who has the tougher job? That depends on the perspective.
Pagano has made no secret of how important he considers a division title, routinely calling it the easiest way into the postseason and the essential start to a playoff run.
Houston,Cheap Jerseys, meanwhile, relies on running back Arian Foster,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, who runs for 6.4 yards per carry and has four 100-yard games in seven tries against Indy. And seven of J.J. Watt's 51 career sacks have come against the Colts.
THE STREAK: Indy has been the AFC South's dominant team since the division was created in 2002, finishing first eight times and second three times. A year ago, the Colts swept the division. A win Sunday would not only wrap up a ninth division crown, it would extend the NFL's longest active winning streak against division foes to 12.
TURNOVER TEST: Indy has fumbled 13 times,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, losing seven in the last three weeks. Luck has thrown three interceptions during that span, too, and the Colts are ranked No. 21 in turnover margin at minus-4. Houston, in contrast, leads the NFL with 29 takeaways and needs two more to break the franchise record set in 2011.
Now it's time to see if the Texans can stay in the division chase, or if the Colts still have the upper hand.
Here are some other things to watch Sunday:
The Texans couldn't beat Peyton Manning from 2002-10, couldn't beat rookie Andrew Luck in 2012 when Houston actually won the division, couldn't even beat the one-win Colts in 2011 when Dan Orlovsky was starting. And Houston has only been within one score in three of those road losses, falling losing 33-27 in 2008, 20-17 in 2009, and 19-16 in 2011.
But Houston has a problem: It is 0-12 all-time in Indianapolis.
"We've never won there. It's the truth," O'Brien said, referring to last week's postgame audiotape that became an Internet hit. "I said we beat Jacksonville, I feel like we're playing well, and we've never won there in Indianapolis. Let's go up there and give it our best shot."
On paper, it's an intriguing matchup.
O'Brien faces a different dilemma.
Last week, the Colts (9-4) did their part to wrap up things by rallying for a last-minute victory in Cleveland. The Texans (7-6) weren't so accommodating, beating Jacksonville 27-13 to keep their slim division hopes intact.
REGGIE'S RECORDS: The milestones for Colts receiver Reggie Wayne keep piling up. This week, the 36-year-old receiver can break two of the most revered records in franchise history — most games played and most wins — in what may be his final regular-season home game. Wayne, who can become a free agent, is tied with Peyton Manning at 208 games and 141 wins.
"He's damn near unblockable, batting passes down, 14 1-2 sacks, (20) tackles for loss. He does it all,Cheap Soccer Jerseys Free Shipping," Pagano said, referring to Watt. "He's a nightmare."
O'Brien believes it's time to change course.
"I know coach (Bill) O'Brien is going to have that team ready to go. It's the first thing they talked about coming off their last win,Cheap Football Jerseys," coach Chuck Pagano said. "We understand where their mindset is and we'll prepare accordingly."
It's that simple, and Indianapolis isn't about to let that chance slip away now.
PROTECTING LUCK: Watt had two sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown against the Colts in October, when Indy's offensive line was healthier. It's unclear how healthy it will be this time. Last week, the Colts finished the game without three of their starting linemen.
Luck is 4-1 against his hometown team with 12 TD passes and two interceptions,Cheap NFL Jerseys. Receiver T.Y. Hilton averages 122.1 yards and has six TD catches in five games against the Texans.
RYAN'S RENAISSANCE: A month ago, Ryan Mallett replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick as Houston's quarterback. But a season-ending chest injury for Mallett has given Fitzpatrick a rare second chance and he's taken advantage. In the last two games, both wins, Fitzgerald has thrown six TD passes and no interceptions. He needs to duplicate that effort in Indy.
"He (Luck) never thinks that the play is over. He competes until the last second," O'Brien said. "I mean, he is going after it. He's scrambling around trying to make plays for his team."
Beat Houston at home and they will earn a second straight AFC South crown and have the privilege of looking at the larger playoff picture. Lose and the division chase is back in play.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Colts have spent months preparing for Sunday's showdown. |
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