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The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are set to face off against each other in what is expected to be a very entertaining Wild Card playoff matchup. Both teams come from the AFC South, which will add a bit of a rivalry feel to an already big game.
After starting the season off with a 1-5 record, the Colts were able to claw their way back into playoff contention. They went into Sunday night's game against the Tennessee Titans in a win-or-go-home situation and were able to get the job done. Now, hitting the road and heading to Houston will give them one of their biggest tests of the year.
Deshaun Watson and company started the season off slow as well, but turned things on much earlier than the Colts. Behind a deadly offense and a stout defense, the Texans appear to be a serious contender in the AFC.
Both teams believe that they can make strong runs at competing with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots. The AFC is more open this season than it has been in a long time.
All of that being said, what bold predictions can be made for the Colts vs. Texans this week?
4. Andrew Luck Dominates With 350 Yards, Four Touchdowns
Anyone hoping to see the Texans' defense dominate Andrew Luck will be disappointed this week. Luck played like an MVP candidate this season after missing all of the 2017 season due to a serious shoulder injury. Now, his team will be looking to him for a big performance.
Luck has always found ways to come through in big situations for the Colts. He has had quite a bit of playoff success as well in the opportunities that he has had.
Going up against a tough Houston defense won't be easy, but Luck will throw for at least 350 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Those numbers will give the Colts a good chance to win the game if they can step up on the defensive end and make some plays.
3. J.J. Watt Sacks Andrew Luck Three Times
Luck is going to have success, but it won't come without him paying a price. J.J. Watt has come back in incredible fashion from a devastating injury last season and is going to make a major impact this week.
Watt will sack Luck at least three times in the game. That is a considerable accomplishment this season, as the Colts went from having an awful offensive line to one of the best in the AFC. Even with the improvements that the Colts have made, Watt is a big time player and will play like it.
If Watt can force a turnover or two off of those sacks, Houston will be sitting in good positioning. On the other hand, three sacks without forced turnovers may not be the impact that the Texans need.
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2. The Game Will Come Down To The Final Possession
Both the Colts and Texans are very evenly talented football teams. They went 1-1 against each other in the regular season and this game is going to come down to the wire.
Neither team is going to jump out to a big lead throughout the first 55 minutes of the game. The game could very well come down to whoever has the football last. Either way, the final possession of the game is going to decide who wins and moves on in the playoffs.
Indianapolis and Houston will need their defenses to step up and make a play late in the game. Whoever is able to do that will come away victorious.
1. Indianapolis Wins By A Last-Second Field Goal
If there is one thing that the Colts have going for them, it is the presence of Adam Vinatieri. That will end up being the difference in this game, as Vinatieri will nail yet another game-winning playoff field goal.
Luck and the Colts are playing an incredibly confident brand of football. Their defense has also found ways to step up and make necessary plays late in games. That will be the case once again against the Texans.
Vinatieri will be asked to turn back the clock and make another clutch field goal to help his team advance in the postseason. He has been in that situation many times throughout this career and the result will be positive for Indianapolis.
