NFL Week 2 2022: 3 teams on upset alert this Sunday

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 11: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 11: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Ashton Dulin #16 of the Indianapolis Colts is unable to catch a pass during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 11, 2022, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Ashton Dulin #16 of the Indianapolis Colts is unable to catch a pass during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 11, 2022, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Indianapolis Colts

The addition of Matt Ryan, combined with a very soft open to the season, left plenty of experts projecting the Indianapolis Colts as AFC South champions. One aspect of the franchise that has gone underreported is the fact that Indianapolis has traditionally started slowly under head coach Frank Reich, a trend that continued in Week 1.

The Houston Texans, who are projected to be in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, built a 20-3 lead against the Colts before Indianapolis rallied to force overtime. Rodrigo Blankenship missed a potential game-winner in the extra session, leading to a disappointing tie that does have both teams in possession of first place in the division right now.

The Colts are on the road again this week as four-point favorites against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lost in Washington last week but showed some signs of improvement in the contest. Trevor Lawrence looked more competent under a real NFL head coach in Doug Pederson, which should be a good sign for the Jaguars as they return home.

Jacksonville has also been a house of horrors for the Colts, who have lost seven straight trips to TIAA Bank Field dating back to 2014, including a Week 18 defeat last season that cost Indianapolis a trip to the playoffs. Failing to take the Jaguars seriously again could lead to an unwanted extension of that streak for the Colts.