The Houston Texans head to Indianapolis for a Week 3 divisional game that already feels like a hinge point. Both teams are 0-2, both badly need a reset, and the loser is left staring at a much uglier start to the season. For Houston, another slip would mean opening 0-3 for a second straight year.
That kind of setup usually produces something unpredictable, and the Texans have a few ways this one could break their way if the right pieces click.
Start with C.J. Stroud, who gave Houston a bright spot last week even as the defense struggled against the Bengals.
He threw for more than 350 yards for the first time since Week 10 of 2023, and the matchup in Week 3 looks friendly enough for another big number. Indianapolis enters the week dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed through two games, which puts Stroud in position to attack the secondary again.
If he gets back over 350 yards, it would be just the second time in his four-year career that he’s done it in consecutive games.
The Texans’ backfield could also tilt a little more toward Woody Marks. Last week, Houston used him in a much closer snap split with David Montgomery than it did in the opener, with Marks logging just four fewer snaps.
Montgomery still looks like the early-down and red-zone favorite, but Marks has a path to matter more here as a change-of-pace option. A third-down catch or a burst run could be exactly the kind of jolt Houston needs after an offense that stalled last week.
Personnel usage is another area to watch. Against Cincinnati, Houston leaned on 11 personnel on more than 85% of its offensive snaps, which left tight ends like Foster Moreau and Marlin Klein with limited chances to influence the game.
DeMeco Ryans addressed that directly, saying: DeMeco Ryans on the #Texans using 11 personnel on 87% of the offensive snaps last week:🗣️ "Everybody wants more tight ends on the field? I love it!
12, 13 personnel, we'll see what happens!" Says Houston ran a lot of 11 personnel vs. the #Bengals because of game flow. pic.twitter.com/jVXOvrIUYy
If Houston does lean more heavily on 12 and 13 personnel, Moreau and Klein could be the names that benefit most. Klein, in particular, would be worth watching after playing only 12 offensive snaps in Week 2. A jump into the mid-20s would signal a real shift for the offense.
And then there’s the turnover drought. Houston’s defense has gone two straight games without a takeaway to start the 2026 season, something that never happened once during the 2025 campaign.
Daniel Jones and the Colts may offer the right opening for that streak to end, and Reed Blankenship is a logical name to watch after two rough outings of his own. If Jones puts one in harm’s way and Blankenship is there, it could be the kind of play that gets Houston’s defense moving again.
In Other News...
Texans O-Line Decision Could Define Houstons Next Step With C.J. Stroud
After a rough Week 2 loss, DeMeco Ryans left open the possibility of reshuffling Houstons offensive line, with Blake Fisher in the mix at right tackle as the Texans try to settle things in front of C.J. Stroud. Its the kind of early-season adjustment that can quickly shape how an offense looks, especially for a team still searching for its first win and trying to avoid digging a deeper hole in the AFC South.
The timing matters with Indianapolis coming to town in Week 3, even with the Colts set to be without wide receiver Alec Pierce because of injury. Houstons focus remains much closer to home, where the priority is protecting Stroud and finding a combination up front that can give the offense a cleaner path forward. Whether Ryans sticks with the current look or makes a change will say plenty about how urgent the Texans feel the situation is. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Enter Colts Week With One Growing Problem On Offense
Nico Collins has become the latest concern for a Texans offense that has not had much room for error even with decent passing yardage from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Collins has missed multiple practices with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play against the Indianapolis Colts, which leaves Houston heading into a divisional game without one of its most dependable targets.
The timing is less than ideal for an offense already trying to find a better balance. The passing game has moved the ball at times, but the unit has still had trouble turning production into points, and the running game has not been able to carry enough of the load. With Collins trending toward sitting out, Houston may have to lean harder on the run and spread the ball around to more receivers to keep the offense from stalling again. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Head Into Colts Showdown With Availability Concerns That Could Matter
The Texans head into Sundays game at Lucas Oil Stadium with some real availability questions hanging over a matchup that already feels important in the AFC South race. Houstons final injury report includes five players who are either out or questionable, and the list features key starters Nico Collins and Ed Ingram, the kind of names that can shape how the offense and protection plans come together on the road.
Indianapolis is dealing with its own health concerns, with several players listed as out or questionable and cornerback Charvarius Ward among those whose status is still unsettled. For a Texans team trying to keep pace in a division game away from home, the final availability decisions on both sides could end up mattering just as much as the game plan. [Read more 🡒]