Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (L) and Houston Texans' Ryan Mallett. (Photo : Reuters)
Even without their superstar quarterback Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) extended their winning streak to two while the Houston Texans (1-3) are still struggling to find the right offensive groove between their two healthy signal callers.
The two teams will face each other for a Week 5 NFL 2015 season match at the NRG Stadium on Thursday, October 8 as Chuck Pagano's crew tries to make it three in a row playing on the road.
The Colts started 40-year-old backup QB Matt Hasselback in place of Luck against Jacksonville in their Week 4 game on Sunday and he made the most out of the moment, as per SB Nation.
Their 42-year-old kicker, Adam Vinatieri, also played big for Pagano as he sealed the come-from-behind 16-13 win over the Jaguars.
Luck missed an NFL game for the first time in his four-year career because of a right shoulder injury and is expected to be back in this game versus the Texans.
Houston lost their third game in four outings against an efficient Atlanta Falcons, 48-21, as the Falcons' backup running back Devonta Freeman had three rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive game, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Starting quarterback Ryan Mallett struggled in the first three quarters as the Texans went scoreless and Atlanta built a humongous 42-0 lead.
Backup Brian Hoyer replaced Mallett in the fourth and quickly put together a 21-point quarter, but it is already too late for Houston.
Mallett is still expected to start against the Colts as Bill O'Brien seems out of options in the middle.
Prediction: Colts win, 28-24.
Indianapolis Colts starting lineup
Offense: Luck (QB), Gore (RB), Doyle (FB), Hilton (WR1), Johnson (WR2), Fleener (TE), Castonzo (LT), Thornton (LG), Holmes (C), Herremans (RG), Mewhort (RT)
Defense: Langford (DE), Parry (NT), Anderson (DT), Cole (OLB), Jackson (ILB), Irving (ILB), Walden (OLB), Butler (CB1), Davis (CB2), Adams (SS), Lowery (FS)
Houston Texans starting lineup
Offense: Mallett (QB), Foster (RB), Prosch (FB), Hopkins (WR1), Mumphery (WR2), Graham (TE), Brown (LT), Aboushi (LG), Jones (C), Brooks (RG), Newton (RT)
Defense: Watt (DE), Wilfork (NT), Crick (DE), Mercilus (OLB), Cushing (ILB), McKinney (ILB), Clowney (OLB), Jackson (CB1), Joseph (CB2), Demps (SS), Moore (FS)
