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Sep 26, 2026 11:30 AM
The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are two desperate 0-2 teams that go head-to-head within the AFC South division this weekend. Here's everything you need to know.
Indianapolis Colts HC Shane Steichen spoke for the final time ahead of the Houston Texans matchup in Week 3. (Video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)More Videos
The Indianapolis Colts (0-2) host the Houston Texans (0-2) this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in an AFC South matchup between two winless teams still in the thick of a subpar division race.
Broadcast Information
- Date/Time: Sun., Sept. 27, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Indianapolis, Ind.; Lucas Oil Stadium
- Television: CBS — Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Robert Turbin (color), Tiffany Blackmon (sideline)
- Stream: Paramount+, NFL+ (mobile), NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube/YouTube TV
- Radio: Westwood One — WIBC HD 2 — Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (color), Larra Overton (sideline)
All-Time Series
- Colts lead, 32-15-1. The Texans have won the last five, dating back to the 2023-24 season.
- Last game: Week 18 of 2025; Texans won, 38-30.
Coaching Staff
- Colts: head coach Shane Steichen; offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter; defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo; special teams coordinator Brian Mason
- Texans: head coach DeMeco Ryans; offensive coordinator Nick Caley; defensive coordinator Matt Burke; special teams coordinator Frank Ross
Colts
- QUESTIONABLE — CB Charvarius Ward Sr. (groin)
- OUT — WR Ashton Dulin (ankle), WR Alec Pierce (heel, will be placed on IR)
Texans
- QUESTIONABLE — OT Trent Brown (knee, wrist)
- OUT — DE Jadeveon Clowney (knee), WR Nico Collins (hamstring), LB Jake Hummel (groin), G Ed Ingram (groin), S M.J. Stewart (knee)
Storylines/Keys
- Can Colts Push the Ball Downfield?: The Colts will be without Pierce and Dulin, who are their two best deep threats at receiver. Laquon Treadwell caught a long ball last week, and Deion Burks is known as being a speedster. They signed downfield receiver Darius Slayton this week, but who knows how much of a role he'll have initially, if any? The Colts could also call up field-stretcher Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad. Will the Colts be able to sneak in some shots if Houston isn't showing enough respect to who the Colts do have on the field?
- How Will They Protect Daniel Jones vs. Anderson, Hunter?: Houston has the NFL's best edge tandem in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, but the Colts are well aware of that. Will they keep tight ends Mo Alie-Cox and/or Drew Ogletree camped out on the edges of the line to help out against those two? The goal is to just not let the pair wreck the offense.
- This Will Tell Us How Bad Indy's Defense Really Is: The Colts' defense is the NFL's worst right now after allowing a combined 1,029 yards and 74 points in the first two weeks to the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. However, those are great offenses quarterbacked by Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Houston's offense is in a worse spot, allowing seven sacks, averaging less than three yards per carry, and being without Collins. If Houston's offense catches fire against the Colts' defense, there won't be much hope to salvage that things will improve.
Intriguing Matchups
- Colts WRs Josh Downs, Keenan Allen vs. Texans NCB Jalen Pitre: One of the most quality matchups is slot defender Pitre against Downs and Allen, both of whom will likely see action in the slot. Without Pierce, the Colts will need both Downs and Allen to step up.
- Colts LB, S vs. Texans TE Dalton Schultz: With Collins out of the lineup last week, Schultz went nuts, with 12 catches for 140 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Colts haven't defended tight ends very well so far, and their linebackers are arguably the worst part of their defense. Houston is obviously going to look to Schultz again in this one.
Projected Weather#
- (Retractable roof/window stadium) Sunny, temperature mid-60s, low chance of precipitation, wind NNE 5 mph, per Weather.com
- Head referee: Ron Torbert (17 years), per FootballZebras.com. Torbert's crew ranks tied for 5th out of 17 crews in most penalties called per game (15.0) in 2026, per NFLPenalties.com.
- Favorite: Texans (1.5), per FanDuel Sportsbook
- Over/Under: 42.5
Season Leaders
COLTS
- Passing: QB Daniel Jones (376 yards)
- Rushing: RB Jonathan Taylor (190 yards)
- Receiving: WR Josh Downs (109 yards)
- PFF OL Run Block: LG Quenton Nelson (88.4)
- PFF OL Pass Block: RG Matt Goncalves (82.4)
- Non-Pass TD: RB Jonathan Taylor (4)
- Tackles: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (22)
- Tackles for Loss: DeForest Buckner (1.5)
- Sacks: DT DeForest Buckner (1.5)
- Takeaways: DT DeForest Buckner (1)
TEXANS
- Passing: QB C.J. Stroud (627 yards)
- Rushing: RB David Montgomery (70 yards)
- Receiving: TE Dalton Schultz (175 yards)
- PFF OL Run Block: RG Ed Ingram (79.9)
- PFF OL Pass Block: LT Aireontae Ersery (70.7)
- Non-Pass TD: RB David Montgomery (3)
- Tackles: LB Azeez Al-Shaair (20)
- Tackles for Loss: DE Will Anderson Jr. (3.5)
- Sacks: DE Will Anderson Jr. (1.5)
- Takeaways: N/A
Notes
- Wide receiver Keenan Allen needs one reception to pass Andre Johnson (1,062) for the 12th-most in NFL history, and nine to pass Reggie Wayne (1,070) for the 11th-most.
- Tight end Tyler Warren needs 39 receiving yards to pass Coby Fleener (889) for the third-most by a Colts tight end in their first two seasons. Warren needs one receiving touchdown to pass Fleener and Dallas Clark (6) for the third-most by a Colts tight end in their first two seasons.
- As part of Nike's "Rivalries" series, the Colts will be wearing their new alternate "Anvil Strike" uniforms, featuring gray jerseys and pants and blue helmets.
- Former Colts tight end Jack Doyle will have the pregame honors of striking the anvil.
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