INDIANAPOLIS — The Houston Texans spent all decade dreaming of this opportunity.
All they really wanted was a chance to establish themselves as a playoff contender and finally take down their old nemesis, the Indianapolis Colts. On Sunday, they could do both.
At 5-3 and on a three-game winning streak, Houston looks like the only AFC South team capable of challenging Indy for division superiority — and it's never had a better shot to beat the Colts.
"It is exciting, and that is what we talked about as a team all offseason and through training camp," quarterback Matt Schaub said when asked if it would be a signature moment for the franchise. "It is an exciting time for our team and our city and we understand that, but at the same time we have to realize what we have to do."
They have to measure up on the field, not just on the stat lines.
Schaub comes into the game with more TD passes (16) than three-time MVP Peyton Manning (15), and with a receiver, Andre Johnson, who has more yards (697) than Indy's Reggie Wayne (689), who is second in the NFL.
But there is a huge disparity when it comes to image.
Houston is the intriguing upstart, the Rocky Balboa of this fight. Many are withholding judgment until they see if the Texans can really beat Indy.
Who can blame the skeptics? In seven years, the Texans are 1-13 in the series, 0-7 in Indy, and their only win came on Kris Brown's 48-yard, last-second field goal in 2006.
This time, the stakes are higher. Win and Houston becomes the biggest threat to Indy's title quest. Lose and the Colts take a four-game lead in the loss column with only seven games left on Houston's schedule.
"We're in a situation that we've never been in before at this point in the season and like I said, every game is going to get bigger and bigger," Johnson said. "If we go and win this game, we have a bye week and we come (home) and play Tennessee; that game is going to be even bigger. The more you win, the bigger the games get."
Indy, meanwhile, knows how to contend with challengers. It has won five of the last six AFC South titles and is off to another 7-0 start. Another victory would make the Colts the fourth team in league history with 17 straight regular-season wins; make Jim Caldwell the first rookie coach to start 8-0; and give Manning win No. 125, tying him with Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton for fourth on the NFL's career list.
But the game has a different significance to the Colts. A victory would also give Indy a first-round sweep of its division opponents and total control of the division race.
"I think it's our biggest test of the season, so far, if you look at the actual records of the teams we've played," Manning said. "I feel like because it is a division game, it's a big game. It means a lot, especially when it comes to implications down the road."
The teams know each other well, though much has changed since last season.
Houston's new defensive coordinator, Frank Bush, has his team forcing turnovers (14), getting off the field on third down and using rookie linebacker Brian Cushing perfectly. Cushing is fourth in the NFL with 66 tackles.
Another change: Schaub and Johnson will finally be on the field together against Indy. Schaub has missed the last three Colts games, while Johnson sat out the first Colts game in 2007.
Yet the Texans still haven't said whether running back Steve Slaton will start or sit after Ryan Moats ran for 126 yards in last week's win at Buffalo.
"We have not run the ball well this year. Of course, last week was the best we've run it all year," coach Gary Kubiak said. "We're still trying to be a balanced football team."
Indy's defense also has prospered under new coordinator Larry Coyer. The more aggressive approach now has the Colts ranked in the league's top 10.
Manning has quickly established a rapport with his young receivers, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, following the departure of Marvin Harrison and the injury to Anthony Gonzalez.
Both teams will be missing key players, too.
The Texans lost tight end Owen Daniels to a season-ending right knee injury this week. He leads Houston with five TD receptions and has been as effective as any tight end in the league this year. Indy linebacker Tyjuan Hagler also is out for the season after rupturing his biceps last Sunday.
Houston couldn't imagine a better setup. The Colts couldn't ask for a better test.
"Absolutely, it means a lot to them and they're going to play like it," tight end Dallas Clark said. "We've got to match that intensity because is a big division game for both sides."
Colts
Texans hoping to challenge Colts in AFC South
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