After 12 weeks of play, the Houston Texans' passing offense ranks 16th in the NFL in passing yards per game (215.7), 20th in completion percentage (63.5%), 21st in passing touchdowns (16), 13th in passing first downs (123) and 19th in passer rating (89.7). 

Even if one wanted to adjust for inflation and factor in starting quarterback C.J. Stroud being out for three games, the overall passing numbers are below average to middle of the pack at best. It has been a source of concern for the media and fan base throughout the course of the season.

In spite of anomaly games against teams like the Titans (26-0), Ravens (44-10) and 49ers (26-15), Houston's aerial attack has been Jackal and Hyde. However, that all could change on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, who are currently one of the most uneven passing defenses in the entire NFL. 

Leaky Colts Secondary

As of the time of this writing, the Colts' defense ranks 27th in passing yards per game (245.4), 12th in completion percentage (64%), tied for 7th in passing touchdowns (16), 29th in passing first downs (142) and 8th in passer rating (85.9). Even in the two games since acquiring cornerback Ahmed "Sauce" Gardner at the trade deadline, the Colts' secondary has allowed:

• Falcons' receiver Drake London to catch six passes for 104 yards (17.3 avg) and 1 touchdown
• Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes to go 29/46 (63%) and 352 yards, all while featuring nine different pass catchers.
• Chiefs' Receiver Rashee Rice to catch eight passes for 141 yards (17.6 avg)
• Chiefs' pass catchers Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce, Brashard Smith, Kareem Hunt and Noah Gray to each catch at least three passes for 25+ yards or more.

Even though a returning Stroud is not the same as a three-time Super Bowl champion and future Hsll of Famer in Patrick Mahomes, he has still shown a proficiency at dicing up secondaries with the best of them when the moment presents itself. 

Texans Receiving Core Heating Up

To make matters even better for Houston, receivers Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins are each coming off of the best three game stretches of their individual seasons (Collins: 19 catches, 283 yards, 1 TD/ Higgins: 13 catches, 135 yards, 2 TDs).

Along with them come other pass catchers in Dalton Schultz, Christian Kirk, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, and even Woody Marks, who have impacted the receiving game in one way or another for Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley. 

All that to say, along with still having the NFL's #1 overall defense as an advantage, Houston also has the opportunity to lean on their litany of receiving weapons to dissect the Colts' defense and increase their chances of leaving Lucas Oil Stadium 1-0 in the first game of their two-game Divisional series. That, and it would drop the Colts to only a one-game lead on the Texans for first place in the AFC South (Colts would be 8-4, Texans would be 7-5). 

It will definitely be interesting to see how Indianapolis deploys their corner grouping in Gardner, Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore II, but Collins and the crew are definitely unafraid of whatever challenge comes their way. 

Do you think the Texans are in line for a huge day from their receiving core? Who do you think wins the matchup of Collins and Gardner? Let us know in the comment section below or on the official Texans Roundtable X account (@Texans_RTB)!