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Power Rankings: Texans have passing chance against Colts

Updated Nov. 3

Here's a big game this week: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts.

Power Rankings: Texans have passing chance against Colts - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

What?

As strange as that sounds, that's what we have Sunday in Indianapolis. The 7-0 Colts, who didn't look all that good last week against the San Francisco 49ers, play host to the red-hot Texans. At 5-3, Houston is in second place in the AFC South and has a chance to creep within two games if it can pull an upset.

If the Colts win, the division race is over. They will have a four-game lead with eight to go.

The 12 victories between the two teams are the most for any game this week, including Steelers-Broncos (11) and Cowboys-Eagles (10).

The Texans are in a big game? You bet.

What's even more appealing: There will be plenty of passes filling the air. The Texans lead the NFL in passing yards, while the Colts are second.

The Colts lead in yards per game and the Texans are right behind. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is tied with Brett Favre and Drew Brees for the league lead in touchdown passes with 16. Peyton Manning is second with 15.

Let it rip, boys.

The Texans are two games over .500 at the halfway point for the first time in their history. That has them up to the No. 13 spot in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings, while the Colts remain in the top spot.

Houston did suffer a big hit to its offense when tight end Owen Daniels went down for the season with a knee injury. That will put more pressure on Andre Johnson outside in the passing game. He sees a lot of double coverage anyway, but now he might see three-man coverage. I mean it.

The Texans could easily be 7-1, by the way. They fumbled on the goal line with a chance to send the game into overtime against Jacksonville, then got stopped on downs at Arizona in the final seconds from the 1-yard line.

How big would this be if they won those two? As it is, it's plenty big.

In fact, it's the Game of the Week, based on the victories.

The Texans? Believe it.

The Power Rankings after Week 8:

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Saints1Saints · Trends4
What is hidden about the Saints is that there are a lot of good, young players on their roster. I can't imagine them taking a big step back.
Colts2Colts · Trends1
Let's not forget they get Anthony Gonzalez back next year, which will make the offense better. They are the team to beat in the AFC again.
Vikings3Vikings · Trends5
After blowing a chance to win the NFC title game in regulation, it must have killed the Vikings to see the Saints win the Super Bowl. Now Minnesota has to play the waiting game with Brett Favre.
Chargers4Chargers · Trends2
They have a lot of contracts that come up, and they will have to make some tough decisions. There is still a lot of talent on this team, but they have to get over the hump at some point. Losing to the Jets was a big upset.
Cowboys5Cowboys · Trends3
Wade Phillips comes back for another year, and he has to get this team past the first round of the playoffs again. Tony Romo is in the same situation.
Eagles6Eagles · Trends6
Can we stop the Donovan McNabb trade talk? He will be back, and he should be back. Will Brian Westbrook?
Jets7Jets · Trends11
The next step will be letting Mark Sanchez do more. They have to throw it better in 2010. And they will.
Packers8Packers · Trends7
Aaron Rodgers showed he's a star in the making this season. That will make Green Bay a Super threat in 2010.
Bengals9Bengals · Trends8
They made big strides to win the division, but they have to improve the passing game. That means getting speed help outside.
Ravens10Ravens · Trends12
It's time for Joe Flacco and that passing game to take a big step forward. You have to get big chunks of yardage to win in this league.
Patriots11Patriots · Trends10
Tom Brady will be a year removed from his knee injury, which means he will be better. The key for the Patriots will be improving their pass rush.
Cardinals12Cardinals · Trends9
Matt Leinart takes over for the retired Kurt Warner. There are a lot of questions about the former Heisman winner, but the Cardinals staff believes in him. Do his teammates?
Broncos13Broncos · Trends13
What do they do with Brandon Marshall? Is he back? Is he traded? They need him, that's for sure.
Steelers14Steelers · Trends14
The concerns with this team are on both lines. They have to play better there. Isn't that the Steelers way?
Texans15Texans · Trends15
They had a winning season, but it's time to make the playoffs. They do have an explosive passing game, which gives them a good chance.
Falcons16Falcons · Trends16
They played the Saints tough twice with a lot of injuries. That has to give them hope heading into next season. They have to work on fixing that defense.
Giants17Giants · Trends20
There is some talk that Tom Coughlin could be in trouble if he doesn't win next season. I don't buy it. But they do have to improve the defense.
Titans18Titans · Trends17
Vince Young played well when he took over. Now he has to show he can do it again.
Dolphins19Dolphins · Trends18
I think this is a team to watch in 2010. Chad Henne will give the Dolphins a better chance to get to a Super Bowl. He does need a receiver.
49ers2049ers · Trends19
The Niners have talent, but they have to throw it better to be a playoff team. I think Alex Smith just might be the answer. The offensive line needs fixing.
Jaguars21Jaguars · Trends21
Jack Del Rio got another year, which some question. Does his quarterback get the same?
Panthers22Panthers · Trends22
They have to decide who plays quarterback. Is it Matt Moore or Jake Delhomme? It should be Moore. What to do with Julius Peppers?
Redskins23Redskins · Trends23
Mike Shanahan has to decide if Jason Campbell is his quarterback of choice. I bet he decides that he is. Hiring Jim Haslett was a good move for the defense.
Bears24Bears · Trends24
Lovie Smith has one year to show that he can turn this team around. Hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator is a great move.
Seahawks25Seahawks · Trends25
Pete Carroll has a long way to go to turn this team around. First decision is if Matt Hasselbeck is the right guy at quarterback.
Bills26Bills · Trends26
Is Chan Gailey the right choice? Let's put it this way: His hiring was a surprise. He does know offense.
Chiefs27Chiefs · Trends28
You can bet the first priority is trying to improve that offensive line. Matt Cassel took a beating.
Browns28Browns · Trends27
Eric Mangini gets another year, and he probably earned it late. Can Mike Holmgren turn this team around? He has a lot of work to do.
Buccaneers29Buccaneers · Trends30
Raheem Morris gets another year and his team should be better just because Josh Freeman will be better. Hey, they did beat the Saints late in the season.
Raiders30Raiders · Trends29
Tom Cable is back. Is that a good thing? Who knows? If they don't fix the quarterback position, does it matter?
Lions31Lions · Trends31
It's all about improving the defense. They need pass-rush help in the worst way. They are another year away from competing -- at least.
Rams32Rams · Trends32
They have a huge decision at the top of the draft: Do they take a quarterback or do they solve that by acquiring Michael Vick? We'll see.
 
For more from Pete Prisco, check him out on Twitter: @PriscoCBS
 

Talk Back
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 13, 2009

November 3, 2009 1:06 pm
win the Super Bowl and Pete would not be convinced that Favre is the answer and he would say, " let's see how he does in the Pro Bowl".

Watch the video because it is hilarious. It is like pulling teeth for Pete to say anything positive about Favre and he just couldn't resist and took a shot at a guy who is on pace to throw for over 3800 yards with 32 TD's and 6 Int's through t
...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 6, 2007

November 4, 2009 10:18 am

1. Saints - They came back after the Falcons took an early lead in the first quarter and won the game. They only have 3 tough games left, against the Patriots Falcons and ...(more)

Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 19, 2006

November 4, 2009 9:58 am
IMO, the Colts are ranked above the Vikings only because of history, not because of this year's performance.  Yes the Vikings have a loss (against the defending SB champs on the road), but the Colts have played a very weak schedule and struggled in even some of those games.  ...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 5, 2006

November 4, 2009 12:17 pm
Tell me it didn't happen.  Favre being praised..FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Is there some evil plan that is saying; if I praise Favre everything falls apart.... LOL  Got to be an plot somewhere here.  Just Kiddin....

Colts vs Saints...you can put them
...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:May 22, 2007

November 4, 2009 7:16 am
What is with the Arizona Cardinals...they are a very strange team and I'm not sure they should be rated this high. What is with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and company. These guys know how to win, and th ...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 30, 2006

November 8, 2009 9:35 pm
No, that's just it. Just a legitimate question. How are the Colts ahead of the Saints? Is it club prestige? Because if not, the Saints voictories this year have been far more dominating and decisive. Absurd.
Reputation:85
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 29, 2009

November 4, 2009 10:13 am
According to you, the Bengals and Ravens should be. Separated by a game in the division, and with both teams in the Top 10 in your Power Rankings, the showdown in Cincinatti seems like the game to watch. I feel like the Texans ...(more)
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 18, 2006

November 3, 2009 1:44 pm
Sorry Pete but Favre played well in the Steeler game too. You know it was a fluke that both turnovers were turned into TD's. Without both of those, not just one, the Vikings win that game too. Report the news pete, tell it like it is, not the way you want it to be and some people will start to respect you a little.
Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 7, 2007

November 4, 2009 6:04 pm
What Pete failed to mention was that the 49ers came back and almost beat the Texans. They could just as easily be 4 and 4 instead of 5 and 3.  If the Colts can run decent they can win for sure. The Texans run defense isnt ...(more)
Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 27, 2007

November 4, 2009 12:11 pm
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

Week 8 Rankings and way too early playoff predictions.

 

  1. Saints (2) – A close game against a good division opponent. Showed their toughness.

  2. Colt ...(more)

Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 17, 2006

November 4, 2009 9:12 am
Is it time to stop ripping on Tony Romo? He's playing some of his best football. The defense, which was a problem much of the season, is playing better.
Is it really ever time to stop ripping on Tony Romo? I think all of the ripping on him has been that he can't win big games in the playoffs
...(more)
Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 3, 2006

November 10, 2009 12:23 pm
Don't get me wrong I like Manny also because he's from the Great State of Louisiana, But you Said they found a way to Win the Game Not!!!!!, The Texans found a way to Lose the Game,

Second The Saints are missing Four good Starters in the Pass Couple Games, Moore wr,
...(more)
Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 9, 2008

November 3, 2009 6:18 pm
From all I have read and seen this is what is on the horizion?  Baring major injury's New Orleans winning home field through out the play offs?  Drew Brees and company is HOT!  And at home in the Dome watch out?  As for the AFC it still looks like Manning and his bunch?  However for the first time this se ...(more)
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 11, 2009

November 3, 2009 4:00 pm
Those are pretty reasonable power rankings, at least in my opinion.

The one thing I LOVE to see though is how highly rated the Cowboys are.  Sure, they deserve to be in the top 12, considering they've won a bunch of games in a row lately.  In fact, I'd put money on them winning 3 of their next 4 or 4 of their next
...(more)
Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 29, 2008

November 3, 2009 9:31 pm
1. (1) Indianapolis- Similar to the Jacksonville game from week 1 they weren't at their best but they still won

2. (2) New Orleans - They just keep rolling

3. (3) Pittsburgh - I am sure it is higher than many of you have them but i think the champs are playing like they want to repeat

4. (4) New England -  Gaining momentum

5. (6) Minnesota - Offense
...(more)
 
 
 
 
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