Colts Looking To Take Next Step

The Colts have been able to check off a lot of boxes this season, but the most important one so far is coming up this week.

Ever since the AFC south was formed, the Indianapolis Colts have seemed to be in charge for more years than not. As a matter of fact, the Colts won 9 out of 12 division titles from 2002-2014. But over the past four seasons, this dominance has waned, as Indy has seen its counterparts improve over that time.

With this in mind, it gives this Sunday a little more importance, as with a win the Indianapolis Colts will advance into sole possession of first place in the division. After the Colts pulled off a thrilling victory over Kansas City, the Texans matched it with their own victory in Arrowhead over the Chiefs. And as it stands right now, this matchup on Sunday is set to be a battle.

For Jacoby Brissett, it will be his first important start against a division opponent. Of course, he has already faced the Texans as a starter (both wins I might add), but that year was different. That year featured two teams that only finished with four wins each, and were under completely different circumstances.

Now, this showdown will be one of very high importance as the season progresses. Winning division games is a must, especially when it is a home game. Last year, I think we all remember how it went when the Texans visited Lucas Oil Stadium. While the Colts lost on what some consider a questionable decision by Frank Reich, it was a game that gave the Colts an identity, as they went on to win 9 of their last 12 regular season games that year.

More from Horseshoe Heroes

• When is the NFL Combine 2023? NFL Combine schedule, events, how to stream
• Latest NFL mock draft has Colts trading up to No. 1 for star QB
• Eagles offensive free agents that could follow Shane Steichen to Colts
• Here’s why Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard is going to love Shane Steichen
• What should be made of Jim Irsay and Colts talking about Bryce Young and the Bears?

The identity of this Colts team however seems to be pretty clear, and that is old-school style football. The offensive line for Indy is the best we have seen in quite a long time, and it is refreshing to see the Colts be able to run the ball after so many years of being one-dimensional.

On a tangent, very encouraging to see how well Justin Houston played in that week 5 win. Of course there was extra meaning for him, but hopefully for the Colts he will be able to keep up that level of productivity.

But back to the Colts as a whole: this game could be the beginning of a new era of Colts dominance in the AFC South. Am I jumping the gun a little here… probably. But at the very least this game will mark the start of the Watson vs. Brissett era. And that is something the Colts have never truly had since the Manning-Brady days distinguished, a genuine rivalry type game.

For something to be a rivalry, there needs to be something special about it. And when looking at the game this Sunday, it is easy to see the significance of what will be taking place.

Yes, it is only week 7, but this game can not just be thrown aside as just another matchup. When the Colts and Texans take the field this Sunday, the result of this game will have much more impact that just winning or losing. The Colts have been able to get the bye week when

they desperately needed it, and now have the opportunity to get a huge win at home against a division opponent, and begin what could be the beginning of a new era of dominance in the AFC South.