Colts Face Big Test ... Against Houston?

Much has been made about the Indianapolis Colts and their 7-0 start. As I pointed out in the power rankings, they are actually 82-21 in the regular season since the beginning of 2003. They are an absolute juggernaut. Thus far this season, we've heard lots of talk about how Peyton Manning looks better than ever and the Colts are firing on all cylinders. This week, we're bound to hear a lot about how the Colts are the biggest test yet for a Houston Texans team looking to visit the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The funny thing is, in a movement worthy of Bizarro-World status, the Texans are actually the first big test for the Colts.

Say what?

The Texans have only beaten the Colts one time in franchise history, and that was in Houston.

It's true that this game is a much bigger test for the fledgling Texans, who appear ready to make the playoffs for the first time ever. But let's not act like the Texans are the only team being tested here. The San Francisco 49ers recently gave each respective team here quite the scare at home. The Texans escaped by three; the Colts by four.

The Texans have also won four of their last five games and are presently a better football team than anyone the Colts have dealt with thus far in the 2009 regular season. The only team the Colts have defeated who currently sports a winning record is the Arizona Cardinals. The Texans did lose to that same Arizona team, but the Texans have steadily improved since that game and the Cardinals have been so inconsistent it's hard to figure which Cardinals team will show up on any given Sunday. It would be hard to find a legitimate argument that the Week 9 Houston Texans are a worse team than the Week 3 Cardinals' squad the Colts manhandled.

Houston also sports the type of high-powered offense the Colts haven't had to defend yet. The Cards are the highest-ranked passing offense the Colts have faced, and they check in at eighth, while the Texans are third. Houston Quarterback Matt Schaub is having a stellar season. He's completing 2/3 of his passes while leading the NFL with 2,342 passing yards and is tied for the lead with 16 touchdown passes. Yes, his stats are a bit padded by not having had a bye yet, but he's playing well enough for a 100.5 passer rating.

The biggest plus for Schaub this week is the Colts haven't seen him since September 23, 2007 -- just his third start as a Texan. He's a bit more comfortable at the helm now and has developed a rapport with Andre Johnson rivaled by few QB-WR combos in the NFL (and, yes, including Manning and Reggie Wayne).

The offense is finally getting some complementary defensive play, though. The defense for Houston has long been the source of embarrassment for the Lone Star State, but this season they are actually in the top half in total defense (barely, checking in at 16th). They have especially improved against the run since Week 3, no longer being manhandled at the line of scrimmage. The growth of rookie Brian Cushing has especially lent a hand in this marked improvement.

Of course, the Colts have improved drastically against the run since being shred by the Dolphins and Bob Sanders is now back in the fray. They would probably also like to point out the Texans have only defeated one team with a winning record (the Bengals). Oh, and did we mention Schaub?

The Colts have Manning. And Manning owns the Texans. He is 13-1 in his career against them with 33 touchdowns and just five interceptions -- good for a 116.5 rating. There is no team in the NFL Manning has defeated more times, and he's won 124 games.

So, obviously the test for the Texans is a big one. Probably a much bigger test than the one the Colts are being provided.

Just don't trick yourself into thinking only one team is being tested in Indy this coming Sunday, because it's a two-way test.

When you are talking Texans-Colts, that's certainly something new -- and quite refreshing. A little competition never hurt anyone.