The Colts beat up on the Bengals on Monday Night football 34-16 to break their 2 game losing streak. The Texans have lost two games in a row and were soundly thumped 40-7 last week against the Patriots.

The Colts will likely be able to do whatever they want on offense. The thought here is that the Colts will throw the ball to get a lead and then grind out the win on the ground. Peyton Manning (3,910 yards passing) should have no trouble throwing the football all over the place against the Texans. The Texans are allowing 218.6 net yards passing per game and Manning had a good game in their first meeting. Marvin Harrison (82 rec, 1,180 yards) and Reggie Wayne (77 rec, 1,213 yards) should both have big games. Joseph Addai (917 yards rushing) should be back for this game after leaving last week’s game early, but if he’s not Dominc Rhodes (584 yards rushing) can carry the load. The Texans have allowed 122.5 yards rushing per game and 4.2 yards per carry so far this season.

The Texans would be smart to run Ron Dayne and Wali Lundy right at the heart of the Colts defense and try to shorten the football game while keeping Peyton Manning & Co. on the sideline. The Colts have the worst run defense in the NFL as they are allowing a whopping 173.4 yards rushing and 5.4 yards per carry so far this season. After the running game is established, look for David Carr (2,518 yards passing) to take some deep shots to Andre Johnson (97 rec, 1,087 yards) and Eric Moulds.

The Colts won the first meeting 43-24 against the Texans. I look for a similar type of final score that favors the Colts.