Each NFL team’s most important game in 2019

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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 05: Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) blocks Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith (72) during the AFC Wild Card game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans on January 5, 2019 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Houston Texans: Week 7 at Indianapolis Colts

The big news these days when it comes to the Houston Texans has little to do with the talent on the field. The team parted ways recently with general manager Brian Gaine. There’s been numerous reports that the team wanted to add New England Patriots executive Nick Cesario. There was talk of tampering charges that would be filed against the Texans, the club nixed the request and New England passed on the complaint. But this story could be far from over.

On the field a year ago, Bill O’Brien’s squad became just the sixth team in NFL history to overcome a 0-3 start and reached the playoffs. Houston would reel off nine consecutive victories starting with a wild 37-34 overtime triumph at Indianapolis in Week 4. Ironically it was the Colts that would end the Texans’ winning streak in Week 14 at Houston. While O’Brien and company went on to win the AFC South, the team was humbled at home by those same Colts in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.

So in late October, it’s the first of at least two meetings with Frank Reich’s team this upcoming season. Can O’Brien and company get back on track against a foe they managed to defeat three straight times from 2015-16 and swept in ’16? Over the past two seasons (including playoffs), the Colts are now 4-1 in this setting and won three straight games at Houston. It’s a big test for the reigning AFC South champs.

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