Editor’s Note: Griffin Gotta’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored for the second straight year by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.
Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.
With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.
Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse
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We last left the AFC South division two weeks ago. Had I known – or, had I been smart enough to look ahead – the schedule makers were going to hit us with another showdown from this division, I probably wouldn’t have recapped the whole freaking thing last time.
Worry not though, readers, because both the Colts and Texans are coming off bye weeks which were anything but relaxing weeks away from the game.
Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans Game Info
- Texans-Colts Date: Monday, October 25
- Texans-Colts Kickoff Time: 8:30 pm
- Texans-Colts TV Network: ESPN
- Texans-Colts Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
- Texans-Colts Point Spread: Colts -5.5
- Texans-Colts Over-Under Odds: 49.5
Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans Preview
Before the bye, Indianapolis, as they’ve been doing for much of this year, played just well enough to win on a Sunday night against the Redskins. As they’ve also done for a good portion of this season, the Colts continue to get injured.
Pick a receiving target; he’s probably been hurt at one point or another. Recent additions to this list include Austin Collie, who will miss a few games following thumb surgery, and the always-wide open Dallas Clark, who is gone for the season after having wrist surgery.
Both losses are obviously major blows to the Colts’ offensive attack. One would assume the absence of Clark hovering around the middle of the field will be an especially tough loss. Then again, it’s Peyton Manning on the other end of those throws, so it doesn’t seem to matter who is catching them. This is why it’s hard to feel bad for the Colts.
Easily the best story from Indianapolis’s bye week is that of punter Pat McAfee’s wild Tuesday night, October 19. You probably know the story by now: guy gets drunk, goes for a swim in a city canal, and finds out that this, apparently, is frowned upon.
From an NFL.com report:
“According to the police report, McAfee, 23, was asked whether he was swimming in the canal and answered, “I am not sure.” When asked why he was wet, McAfee responded, “It was raining.” When asked where his shirt was, McAfee said, “In the water.” And when asked how much he had to drink, McAfee said: “A lot, cause I’m drunk.”
Now that is the kind of smooth-talking that can only be brought about through copious amounts of drinking. His Twitter page didn’t help much either, according to the report:
“Before the arrest, McAfee posted on Twitter: “Bye week bye week bye week. Time to get some ish done. Happy Tuesday Party people.”
Happy Tuesday indeed, Pat. And guess what? McAfee gets another bye week, as the Colts have suspended him for Monday night’s game. This time around he might just do a movie night on Tuesday, one assumes. Of course, there’s always drinking games for those too.
To replace McAfee, the Colts signed punter Jeremy Kapinos, who punted for the Green Bay Packers last season. It’s safe to say that after a year of watching him, I’d rather go with a drunk McAfee.
As for the Texans, their defense ranks last in the league in both passing and total yards given up per game. It’s hard to see how they improve from here on out with the loss of linebacker DeMeco Ryans for the season. “Chill bro” Brian Cushing will fill the void at middle linebacker, but as always, this team will be relying heavily on the offense to score, score, and score.
This is what they did on the opening weekend of the season, when they defeated Indianapolis and sent all of Houston into a tizzy. On that day, it was Arian Foster’s performance that did the trick. The Texans’ defense did nothing to slow down Manning, who threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. In fairness though, Houston doesn’t slow down anyone’s passing game; at leastt hey keep it consistent,
In short, you know what you’re getting with the Texans. This is probably how every game could go for them the rest of the year, as it’s actually how every game they’ve won so far has gone. It might be the only way this Houston team can win games. For entertainment purposes, this is really not a bad way to go.
The question is, can this way of life continue to work long enough for the Texans to win the AFC South? A win ties them for first with the Tennessee Titans and drops the Colts to 0-3 in the division. A win also means a season sweep of Indianapolis, the team that for so long has shown that success can be had with a high-powered offense offsetting a flimsy defense. A win could validate the Texans as this season’s more explosive version of the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans Prediction
Where Houston may be better winning one certain way right now, Indianapolis wins in any way it has to — so long as they keep themselves in the hunt. Though not as strong as they once were, and with injuries, aquatically-inclined punters, and the lack of a division win so far, the Colts are a more complete team. Until it doesn’t mean what it still does now, the Colts are the Colts. That is exactly as annoying as it sounds.
Indianapolis is a team that needs to be killed more than once. A win on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium makes it that much tougher for them to rally back into the division race. It also brings the Texans one step closer to vanquishing the beast.
Here’s your chance, Houston. Do with it what you will.
Colts-Texans Prediction: Texans 30, Colts 28
Colts-Texans Spread Pick: Texans +5.5
Colts-Texans Over-Under Pick: Over
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**Clark photo courtesy of Andy Lyons – Getty Images.
**Cushing photo courtesy of the AP.
Twitter: twitter.com/griffingotta Email: griffingotta@gmail.com
