Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season has arrived and the Indianapolis Colts will open things up at home against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Who do you think will win this AFC South matchup?
The theme of the offseason for the Colts’ was continuity with, relatively speaking, very little roster turnover from 2023 to 2024.
That continuity will be one of the key catalysts toward the Colts’ push to return to the playoffs. Like any team, there are unknowns entering the season, specifically in the secondary and at quarterback, with Anthony Richardson having just 98 career dropbacks.
But with that said, the formula for a successful season certainly exists as well. While Richardson’s potential is sky-high, it’s not as if the young quarterback has to shoulder the entire playmaking workload either.
On both sides of the ball, the Colts are incredibly stout in the trenches. On offense, there is playmaking potential around Richardson with Jonathan Taylor, AD Mitchell, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and others, not to mention the value of the familiarity that comes with being in Shane Steichen’s system for a second year.
The Texans, meanwhile, are coming off a 10-7 season under then first year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback CJ Stroud.
The Texans defeated the Colts in Week 18 to clinch the AFC South and lost in the AFC Divisional Round after defeating the Cleveland Browns in the Wildcard round the week prior.
Houston made several big additions in the offseason, acquiring Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon in trades along with signing Danielle Hunter in free agency, among other moves.
Expectations are high for the Texans this season, but internally, the Colts are quite bullish on their roster as well. Who do you think wins the Week 1 matchup? Cast your vote below: