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14 Things to Watch for in the Season Opener

Vaseline September 8, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — The 2024 season begins where the 2023 season left off for the Colts.

Eight months ago, Indianapolis came up short in beating Houston to clinch the AFC South title and a playoff spot at Lucas Oil Stadium. Since then, the Texans have become everyone’s darling, the overwhelming favorite in the AFC South.

By comparison, the Colts operate with a low profile.

Indianapolis gets a chance to make its presence known as an AFC South contender Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium, hopefully by snapping the streak of 10 straight seasons without a win in the season opener, though the Colts did draw with the Texans in Houston in 2022.

The season opener will be the first chance to get a look at the 2024 Colts, and there should be plenty to see.

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1. The offense Shane Steichen has designed for Anthony Richardson remains largely unknown. Richardson’s mobility, and the threat of Richardson’s mobility, is expected to play a major role after the Colts quarterback averaged 5.4 yards per carry as a rookie, and it opens up a world of potential options for a creative mind like Steichen.

2. Jonathan Taylor played just two snaps with Richardson last season, but when Richardson was in the lineup, former Colts reserve Zack Moss averaged 5.8 yards per carry, compared to 4.1 yards per carry when Gardner Minshew was the starter. Taylor has had two straight seasons with injuries, but his 196-yard performance against Houston in the season finale proved he can still be one of the NFL’s best weapons, and it’s intriguing to wonder what Taylor will be able to do with defenses worried about Richardson making plays with his legs.

Texans Injury Report

3. Houston spent the offseason trying to improve its pass rush. The Texans signed defensive end Danielle Hunter and interior rusher Denico Autry in free agency, but Houston’s pass rush may not be at full strength for the season opener. Autry, a former Colt, is serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, and sophomore edge rusher Will Anderson returned to practice this week for the first time since early August because of an ankle injury. Anderson will play, but if he’s limited, Houston will have to use Jerry Hughes and Derek Barnett more often in a tough matchup against Colts tackles Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith.

4. Richardson was inconsistent as a passer during the preseason, following up excellent drives with a few misses. In Steichen’s own words, the coach’s ideal offensive philosophy is “throw to score, run to win,” and while Richardson probably doesn’t have to be one of the NFL’s most accurate passers for that philosophy to count, he does have to make plays down the field.

5. Indianapolis ruled out Josh Downs with a high ankle sprain, leaving a hole in the slot. The Colts will likely use rookie Adonai Mitchell primarily to replace him, but Shane Steichen has repeatedly said he plans to use multiple players in the role, and that may not just be lip service. Mitchell has never played the slot before, and the rookie admitted it’s a difficult role. The Colts could also use Anthony Gould and

6. The Colts believe Alec Pierce has had the best training camp of his three-year career, and Indianapolis may need the receiver in his third year to prove them right against a Texans secondary that can pit cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. against Michael Pittman Jr.

7. Rookie edge rusher Laiatu Latu faces a tough test in his NFL debut. Latu typically rushed from the right side of the defensive line during training camp, a spot that would pit him against Texans stalwart Laremy Tunsil, a four-time Pro Bowler. But there may be a solution for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Latu has the versatility to rush from anywhere on the defensive line, and the Colts can move him around to create favorable matchups.

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8. The rest of the Texans’ offensive line could be a favorable matchup for Indianapolis’ defensive line. Houston brought in 31-year-old guard Shaq Mason to stabilize the line this offseason, but the Texans have questions about three starters: left guard Kenyon Green, center Juice Scruggs and right tackle Tytus Howard. Indianapolis believes its front is the defense’s strength. Even if Latu struggles against Tunsil, there should be an opportunity for DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye and Co. to wreak havoc in the backfield. Stroud recorded 38 sacks last season, while Houston surrendered 47 total; Indianapolis will need to collapse the pocket regularly against the Texans’ potent passing game.

9. Houston struggled to run the ball last season. A Texans ground game that finished 29th in the NFL in yards per carry was eventually traded for Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon, who has averaged no more than 4.1 yards per carry over the past five years. An Indianapolis run defense led by Grover Stewart and Zaire Franklin should theoretically make things difficult for Mixon and force Houston into obvious passing situations.

10. The problem is that the Texans want to spend their time on obvious passing situations. The big reason for the Texans’ praise is Houston starter C.J. Stroud, a rising superstar coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign. Stroud threw 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions last season, piling up yards even after losing multiple receivers to injuries.

Texans Receivers vs. Colts Secondary

11. Houston’s receiving corps is much improved from the season finale. The Texans traded Bills star Stefon Diggs, got back deep threat Tank Dell after averaging 15.1 yards per catch last season and already have Colts killer Nico Collins, the player who opened that fateful January game with a 75-yard touchdown. Second-year cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones are expected to start on the outside for Indianapolis, and like Latu, they’ll be tested right away.

12. Indianapolis is banking heavily on Nick Cross this season, and the third-year safety will need to deliver. Cross is expected to start at free safety, and Stroud will likely test him deep repeatedly after averaging 8.2 yards per attempt last season. Cross’ primary role is to be the rubber for the Indianapolis secondary; he’ll need to provide the help a young group of outside cornerbacks needs.

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13. Indianapolis kicker Matt Gay’s status remains uncertain after he underwent surgery to repair a hernia he suffered in the final preseason game. Steichen said the Colts would make a decision on Gay’s status over the weekend; if he kicks, it would be a remarkable recovery. If he can’t go, the Colts would turn to undrafted rookie Spencer Shrader, who has a great leg but has never kicked in the NFL.

14. The Colts drafted Anthony Gould to make big plays in the return game, but there may not be as many return opportunities with the NFL’s new dynamic kickoff play as the league intended. Nine of 11 kickoffs in Thursday night’s opener went for touchbacks; Houston may decide to simply take the touchback at the 30-yard line.