For their final game of the 2017 NFL season, the rival Houston Texans come to town. Besides the Colts, the Texans may be one of the most injury plagued teams in the NFL. Last week, the Texans had to play Taylor Heinicke, who was apparently only slightly better than a certain music icon in high school. The Colts are locked into the third pick, and can only rise with a loss and a Giant win. So once again, the boys in blue are playing for nothing more than pride. Last week, they showed heart, and fought against a Ravens team vying for a playoff bid. Chuck Pagano is 5-0 in season finales (go figure); this should be a good one.
Injury Report
Colts
(Colts have not released any official injury statuses as of now)
DNP
Denzelle Good, T – Knee
Johnathan Hankins, DT – Ankle
Jason Vander Laan, TE – Concussion
LP
Donte Moncrief, WR – Ankle
Texans
OUT
DeAndre Hopkins, WR – Calf
QUESTIONABLE
Kareem Jackson, CB – Foot
Jadeveon Clowney, DE – Knee
Xavier Su’a-Filo, G – Groin
Joel Heath, DE – Knee
Latroy Lewis, LB – Shoulder
Kendall Lamm, T – Concussion
Jeff Allen, G – Concussion
Kevin Johnson, CB – Knee
Jordan Todman, RB – Shoulder
Key Matchups To Watch
Texans’ Quarterback vs The Colts’ Secondary
Wether it be T.J. Yates, Taylor Heinicke, or some random guy they pick up off of the street, the Texans’ starting quarterback needs to perform for Houston to win. Last week, with Yates and Heinicke at the helm, the Steelers battered the Texans, 34-6. Heinicke threw only one pass for 10 yards, and Yates threw for 83 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The Texans amassed a measly 227 yards, which won’t win you many NFL games. The Steelers rank fourth in the NFL in total yards by opponents; it gets easier against the Colts defense, which ranks 30th in that category, giving up 377.6 yards per game.
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
Last week, Joe Flacco threw all over the Colts’ defense. To make matters worse, the Colts’ top corner, Rashaan Melvin, was placed on IR. On the bright side, star wide out DeAndre Hopkins is also out. The Colts will rely on the likes of Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, and Nate Hairston to defend Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, and Chris Thompson. Whoever wins this battle most likely will win the game.
Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue vs The Colts’ Front Seven
Despite the domination that the Texans faced last week, the run game, led by Alfred Blue and Lamar Miller, had a very solid outing. Blue touted the rock 16 times for 108 yards, and Miller ran 10 times for 55. Considering that the Steelers rank 10th in rush defense, giving up 106.1 YPG, and the state of the Texans’ offensive line, last week was an impressive feat.
The Colts’ run defense, although improved, is still towards the bottom of the NFL, and injuries certainly have not helped. The Colts rank 27th in the NFL in opponent rushing yards per game, with 122.8. Two weeks ago, C.J. Anderson ran all over the Colts’ defense, but last week, the Colts held Alex Collins and Javorius Allen to 88 total yards. Holding Lamar Miller and Blue in check will be a major key to a Colt victory.
Anthony Castonzo vs Jadeveon Clowney
Anthony Castonzo has been a lone bright spot on the Colts’ offensive line this season, which otherwise has been awful. He is the 13th ranked tackle in the NFL per PFF, with an above average 81.8 season grade. Over the season, Castonzo has a 95.2 pass blocking efficiency. which ranks 24th among his position.
The former number one pick, Clowney has been good this season for Houston. This year, Clowney has 92 tackles, nine sacks, two passes deflected, and 61 total pressures. Jacoby Brissett is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL this season by long mark, and will have to rely on Castonzo and Co. if he wants to stay off of his back all day.
Colts vs Texans Prediction
The Colts hold whoever starts at quarterback in check, Jacoby Brissett has a great day, and Chuck Pagano moves to 6-0 in season finales to spite the Colts’ number two pick dreams.
26-10 Colts
Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, and the AFC South Division Editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_ and @FPC_Colts.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Warriors at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 6:30 pm
-
Kings at Wolvesby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 5:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Iowa State at Texas Techby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
Lakers at Netsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Magic at Sixersby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 3:38 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: North Central at Norfolk Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Virginia at Syracuseby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 1:00 pm
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
-
Ep. 85: UMass-Lowell Head Men's Basketball Coach Pat Duquette Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Pelicans at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm