Week 9 preview: Houston Texans vs Colts

Keys to the offense:

Case Keenum: With Matt Schaub now healthy enough to play the Texans have decided to stick with the 2nd year QB as their starter. Keenum through for nearly 300 yards and a TD in his last outing against a stingy Chiefs defense. If Keenum can play another turnover free game the Texans should have a good chance at winning a tough home game against the Colts this week. The key will be keeping Keenum clean in the pocket against Robert Mathis and a Colts defense that's been pretty good at putting pressure opposing QB's.

RB play: Last time the Texans played they ended their game without a healthy RB. Both Arian Foster and Ben Tate were hurt during the game and they were down to using FB Greg Jones. Foster has been listed as a game time decision, and though Tate plans to play he'll be nursing broken ribs. The Texans signed a a couple players they had through the preseason in Deji Karim and Dennis Johnson this past week. Though they both might be somewhat familiar with the Texans playbook they'll be limited in action this week for sure. The Texans are going to need to be able to run the ball effectively to keep the Colts defense guessing, and help keep Keenum upright in the pocket.

Keys on defense:

Getting after Andrew Luck: If the Texans aren't able to put pressure on Andrew Luck on Sunday it's going to be a long day for the defense. The Texans didn't record a sack in the last game they played before their bye. That team was the Rams and their QB then was Sam Bradford. Playing Colts team without injured veteran WR Reggie Wayne the Texans will be looking to bring extra pressure and force Luck into some bad passes. Luck hasn't been sacked more than twice in a game since week 2, the Texans will be looking to get to Luck this week and attempt to change that.

Stopping the run: With Brian Cushing hurt for the year the Texans will be looking for solid games from both Joe Mays and Daryl Sharpton this week. The Texans waived veteran LB Tim Dobbins last week.and now have just Mays, Sharpton, and rookie Justin Tuggle playing ILB. With the injury to Reggie Wayne it'll be big to limit the Colts on the ground and force them to use those WR's to make plays. The Texans have yet to allow a 100 yard rusher this season and will be looking to keep that streak alive facing RB Trent Richardson and this Colts rushing attack.