The Houston Texans’ season kicks off at last.
Can the Texans amplify the optimism that coach Lovie Smith has cultivated all offseason with a win? There would be no better way to get the Smith era started. It would also be the third straight time a new Texans coach won his Opening Day game.
Houston sports fans are anxious to see two offensive pieces: second-year quarterback Davis Mills and rookie running back Dameon Pierce. Mills has had all of the first-team snaps since the initial offseason workout; there has been no one to challenge him as the man under center. Pierce also has emerged as the starting running back after Houston drafted him in the fourth round from Florida.
The Colts may have retooled and grown stronger than their previous incarnations. With Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan added to the roster, the Colts figure to have a dependable field general who will complement the dominance running back Jonathan Taylor has displayed on the ground. Taylor pounded the Texans for 145 and 143 yards in each of his two games against Houston in 2021.
Not that it has any bearing on the 2022 contest, but somehow the Texans are 2-0 against their AFC South rivals on Opening Day. The two contests came in 2010 and 2011. Peyton Manning was quarterback for the first meeting but missed the entire season in the second.
To get ready for the first week of the regular season, here is important game day information so you can catch the game. Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @BigSargeSportz, @Texans_Thoughts, @JohnHCrumpler)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans — Sunday, Sept. 11, 12:00 p.m. CT
TV channel: CBS (KHOU-TV, Houston, Channel 11) [Tom McCarthy & Tiki Barber]
Live stream: FuboTV
Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Forecast: Mostly sunny, 88 degrees, 8 mph wind (indoors)
Referee: Land Clark
Odds: Colts -7.5