What to watch for in Texans at Colts

INDIANAPOLIS — Areas of interest in the Indianapolis Colts’ season-opening game with the Houston Texans Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium:

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Broadcast: CBS4.

Spread: Texans by 3.

History lesson, Part I: Let’s get this out of the way. The Colts are looking for their first opening-day win since Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, Vick Ballard, LaRon Landry, Antoine Bethea and Jerrell Freeman led them to a 21-17 win over a Raiders bunch that still called Oakland home. It was Sept. 8, 2013.

Since then, they’re 0-9-1 in openers. We’re sure you recall that epic 20-20 overtime draw at Houston in 2022.

In fairness, coach Shane Steichen has been part of just the last sad chapter. That would be a 31-21 loss to Jacksonville in week 1 of last season.

“This is my second year here, and absolutely, we want to win the opener,’’ Steichen said. “There’s no doubt about it. I mean, it’s a big deal, right?’’

Right.

History lesson, Part II: With so much of the Colts’ immediate and future success resting on the broad shoulders of Anthony Richardson, it’s easy to forget he’s still something of a newbie. At 22, he’s the NFL’s youngest starting quarterback for a second consecutive season and, again, is the youngest starting QB in Colts’ history. Richardson, 21 years and 111 days at the time, was the third-youngest starting quarterback in NFL history when he trotted onto the field for the season-opener last season.

Unfinished business: Credit the league schedule-makers for offering up an intriguing opening act for 2024. The Colts and Texans reconvene at Lucas Oil Stadium 246 days after their win-and-in showdown in week 18 of ’23. We won’t torture you with the unpleasant details, other than to mention quarterback Gardner Minshew II and running back Tyler Goodson were unable to convert a fourth-and-1 at the Houston 15-yard line with one minute to play and the Colts trailing 23-17.

The Texans secured the AFC South title and overwhelmed the Joe Flacco-led Cleveland Browns in the first-round of the playoffs. The Colts finished 9-8 and still haven’t won the division since 2014.

The quick rematch has been on linebacker Zaire Franklin’s mind.

“Just looking for a chance to right a wrong. You know what I mean?’’ he said. “Obviously, the Week 18 game, it was tough. It was something to deal with. Had to grow through it, learn through it. But we’ve got an opportunity to get our get-back early on and play a division opponent early and open up the season 1-0.’’

Dynamic duo?: That’s what the Colts anticipate with Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor sharing the backfield. It never materialized last season because of Taylor’s issues — contract dispute, rehab from ankle surgery, whatever — and Richardson suffering the season-ending shoulder injury in week 5 against Tennessee. They were on the field for just two nondescript snaps.

Now, as Steichen said on several occasions, the playbook is wide open with two explosive players at his disposal.

Remember Steichen’s wry response when asked about how much of the offense he showed during the preseason?

“Not much.’’

It’s debatable whether Richardson ever will be an accurate passer. In 17 starts at Florida and with the Colts, he’s a 54.9% thrower. But he’s a stress-maker as a runner, and that’s amplified with Taylor at his side.

Before suffering a concussion at the end of a 15-yard TD in the first quarter against Houston in week 2 last season, Richardson ripped the Texans for 35 yards and two TDs on just three carries. He finished his abbreviated rookie season with 136 yards and four TDs on 25 attempts (5.4 yards per rush).

Barring injury, Richardson should own every club quarterback-related season rushing stat at some point this year.

Taylor? He’s healthy and financially secure following the three-year, $42 million contract. A healthy Taylor, coupled with a healthy Richardson and the creative mind of Steichen, should send shivers through opposing defensive coordinators.

It’s worth noting the Texans have never had an answer for Taylor. In six meetings, he’s averaged 135.2 yards per game and 6.6 per rush. His last four: 145, 143, 161 and 188 on 30 carries in the week 18 meeting in January. His least productive game: 83 as a rookie.

Differing approaches: General manager Chris Ballard showed his confidence in last year’s roster by deciding to bring back the major players. All 22 starters, along with the special teams components, return intact. Ballard funneled more than $230 million in maximum contract value and $150 million in guarantees to Michael Pittman Jr., DeForest Buckner, Franklin, Kenny Moore II, Grover Stewart, Tyquan Lewis and a handful of others.

The only significant free-agent additions were for backups — quarterback Joe Flacco and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis.

The Texans determined they needed to add to what already was a strong roster. Trades brought in wideout Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon. Free-agent shopping produced four defensive starters — end Danielle Hunter, whom the Colts made a strong push to sign, tackles Mario Edwards Jr. and Folorunso Fatukasi and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair — and veteran backup cornerback Jeff Okudah.

“Their roster got better for sure,’’ Buckner said. “I’ve been in this game for almost a decade, and I’ve seen some great rosters. You know, Super Bowl rosters.

“It doesn’t mean anything until you go out there and play.’’

Dealing with Stroud: The national buzz around the Texans is legit and can be traced to quarterback C.J. Stroud. He was taken two slots ahead of Richardson in the 2023 draft and exceeded expectations. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on the strength of 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, just five interceptions and a 100.8 rating.

The key to dealing with Stroud? Pressure, of course.

“Obviously as a front we’ve got to take advantage of our opportunities to release the pressure off the back end,’’ Buckner said. “If the quarterback can’t throw the ball, (the secondary doesn’t) have to have any worries.

“We’ve really got to do our part up front and create constant pressure throughout the game.’’

In the week 2 meeting in Houston last season, injuries jumbled the Texans’ offensive line, and the Colts tormented Stroud with six sacks and numerous other pressures/hits. Stroud passed for 384 yards and two TDs, but 274 yards came after the Colts piled up a 28-10 halftime lead enroute to a 31-20 victory.

In the critical rematch, the Colts managed just two sacks and two other hits on Stroud. He capitalized on a relatively clean pocket by completing 20-of-26 passes for 264 yards and two TDs. The Texans’ first offensive snap: Stroud’s 75-yard TD to wideout Nico Collins.

The Colts set an Indy-era record with 51 sacks last season, but too often the pass rush vanished. The addition of first-round pick Laiatu Latu is huge and coordinator Gus Bradley will try to put him in advantageous pass-rush situations.

Pressure Stroud, or else. Along with Collins, he has Diggs, Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz as options.

The Colts’ secondary will remain a concern until it proves otherwise. That includes starting second-year outside corners JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones and free safety Nick Cross.

Quick hits: Steichen and coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will be without slot receiver Josh Downs (ankle), so look for them to lean on rookie AD Mitchell and perhaps tight end Kylen Granson to take up Downs’ snaps.

A decision on the availability of kicker Matt Gay (hernia) might not be made until Sunday. He underwent surgery during the last week of August but has resumed some level of kicking. If Gay is unable to kick, the chores and pressure shift to rookie Spencer Shrader.

Dwight Freeney, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, will receive his Ring of Excellence at halftime.

And the winner is: Colts 30, Texans 27. Just a hunch. We really don’t have a firm grip on how good the Colts are simply because of Anthony Richardson being such a wild card. And, as we’ve mentioned on several occasions, the secondary scares us.

But if the Colts are going to contend for something this season, they need to end their opening-day drought and prove they’re on the same level as the Texans.

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter/X at @mchappell51 .

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