Colts at Texans
THE STORY: Peyton Manning’s streak of 227 consecutive starts – second all-time at quarterback in the NFL – is coming to an end. Kerry Collins will take over under center for the Indianapolis Colts. For a Houston Texans defense that remade itself in the abbreviated offseason, that news should come as a welcome surprise. The Colts own the longest current playoff streak at nine seasons while the Texans have yet to play in the postseason in their nine-year history. Houston will be looking to change that history by taking advantage of the shorthanded Colts on Sunday.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Houston -9, O/U 43.
ABOUT THE TEXANS (2010: 6-10 AFC South): Houston, which ranked last in the NFL against the pass last season, brought in cornerback Jonathan Joseph as a free agent from Cincinnati and spent its top draft pick (11th overall) on defensive end J.J. Watt. The Texans remain strong on offense, although running back Arian Foster, who led the NFL with 2,220 yards from scrimmage in 2010, will be a game-time decision Sunday due to a hamstring strain. Quarterback Matt Schaub (9,140) ranks behind only Manning (9,200) in yards since 2009.
ABOUT THE COLTS (2010: 10-7 AFC South): Indianapolis ended all the speculation on Wednesday, announcing that Manning would end a streak that started on Sept. 6, 1998. The 35-year-old, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension last month, underwent another surgical procedure on his neck Thursday and will be sidelined indefinitely. Into the void steps veteran Kerry Collins, who was coaxed out of retirement by the Colts last month. No one seems quite sure when Manning will be back, throwing all Indianapolis season projections up in the air.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Colts are 16-2 all-time against the Texans, though Houston won the matchup at home last season 34-24 behind 231 yards and three touchdowns from Foster.
2. Collins needs 111 yards to pass Joe Montana (40,511) for 10th on the all-time list. Collins ranks second among active players, behind only Manning (54,828).
3. Houston defensive end Antonio Smith is dealing with a tragedy after a friend apparently drowned in the pool behind Smith’s home following a party last weekend.