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Colts-Texans Preview

Sep 8, 2010 - 6:06 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Senior Writer

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts have spent seven months awaiting a chance to redeem themselves after their bitter Super Bowl loss. As they get started, they'll once again be heavy favorites to win AFC South - something the Houston Texans wouldn't disagree with.

The Colts' regular season dominance has been especially evident against playoff-hopeful Houston, which has lost 15 of 16 meetings with Indianapolis heading into Sunday's opener at Reliant Stadium.

Indianapolis has won at least 12 games in each of the past seven seasons, capturing six division titles in establishing itself as the NFL's premier team from September through December.

All of those victories and Manning's four MVPs, though, have resulted in only one Super Bowl win. Despite going 14-2 and cruising through the AFC playoffs last season, the Colts were upset 31-17 by New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV.

The loss certainly hasn't dampened expectations for Indianapolis, which is still the pick to win the South.

Recent history isn't on the Colts' side, though. Seven of the past nine Super Bowl losers have failed to make the playoffs the following year.

"One thing we've always done, whether finishing on top or finishing short, is to put the previous season behind us," said Manning, who threw a game-sealing interception to the Saints' Tracy Porter with 3:12 left. "We are just going to keep trying to do things the right way."

Hopes are also high in Houston. After consecutive 8-8 seasons, the Texans had nine wins in 2009 and remained in playoff contention until the final week of the season.

Matt Schaub led the league with 4,770 passing yards - 270 more than Manning - while Andre Johnson finished with 1,569 receiving yards - 220 more than his closest competitor.

Combined with an improving young defense that tied for 13th with 324.9 yards allowed per game, there's only one goal for coach Gary Kubiak as he enters his fifth season on the sidelines.

"The expectation for the organization is to win a championship," he said. "That can't get done until we win the AFC South or make the playoffs, so we've got to stay focused on those two things and that will be our goal. But we've got to understand the work that has to come to accomplish those goals."

They'll have a tough time winning the division without beating the Colts at least once, and that's all they've been able to accomplish in eight seasons against Indianapolis.

The Colts' past four wins in the series, though, have all been tight after Indianapolis outscored Houston by two touchdowns per game in the first 12 meetings. Indianapolis had to rally in the second half in each of the past four victories, and needed 21-point fourth quarters in the last two trips to Reliant Stadium to escape with wins.

Manning has all of his top targets back, including receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark - both of whom finished with exactly 100 receptions and 10 touchdowns. They'll be joined by up-and-comers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, Manning's leading receivers in the postseason.

"It's got to be the best in the league," Clark said of Indianapolis' receiving corps. "There are a lot of guys that can make a lot of big plays at any point. There are a lot of good threats and everyone has a different tangible they bring."

The biggest change in the Colts' offense comes on the sidelines. Clyde Christensen has replaced longtime offensive coordinator Tom Moore as the play-caller, and Pete Metzelaars has taken over for the retired Howard Mudd as line coach.

Metzelaars' line may not be at full strength for the opener. Left tackle Charlie Johnson (foot) and center Jeff Saturday (knee) are questionable, which could leave Joseph Addai and Donald Brown with less room to run.

The backfield is once again the Texans' biggest question mark. Houston ranked 30th in rushing at 92.2 yards per game in 2009, and promising rookie Ben Tate went down with a broken ankle in the preseason.

That leaves 2009 undrafted free agent Arian Foster as the starter, with Steve Slaton set to back him up. Veteran Derrick Ward, who ran for 1,025 yards with the Giants in 2008, was signed at the end of the preseason.

"We've got a young group of backs who are going to have to play well and maybe play above and beyond the call of duty," Kubiak said. "There is a lot being expected of them."

Foster and Slaton will be running into a defense that has the oft-injured Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders healthy, but the Texans' defense won't be at full strength for the opener.

Mario Williams will again be counted upon to wreak havoc up front, but linebacker Brian Cushing won't be behind him. The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year was suspended four games for testing positive for HCG, a fertility drug.