Texans looking to change the past against the Colts in Week 1
The Indianapolis Colts dominated the Houston Texans in 2021.
The Colts beat Houston 31-3 in their Week 6 encounter at Lucas Oil Stadium with rookie Davis Mills making his fourth career start. Indianapolis had no trouble with the Texans as they cruised to a 31-3 victory.
In Week 13, in what would be quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s final start to date, the Colts took the fight out of Houston on Battle Red Day with a 31-0 shutout inside NRG Stadium.
Coach Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator last season, and it was against his defense that the Colts scored 31 points and ran roughshod over them with running back Jonathan Taylor tallying 145 and 143 yards.
“We don’t run from it at all,” Smith told reporters Monday. “They dominated us at their place and at home. We do remember that, but talk can’t get it done.”
Smith knows that it was also offense and special teams where the Texans gave up position to the Colts. However, with the promotion of Smith from defensive coordinator to coach provided for other openings. With Tim Kelly gone to the Tennessee Titans, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton took over the offense, and Houston seeks to deploy their own version of a run-heavy scheme.
“A lot of what happened were things we did, all three phases,” said Smith. “We feel like we corrected a lot of that. That’s why we can’t wait to see exactly how far we’ve come since that day.”
The 64-year-old Big Sandy, Texas, native has a good memory when it comes to losing.
Said Smith: “I can tell you what happened in the seventh grade, a game I lost. As coach, I can tell you a game we lost in, especially when somebody beats you like that. It’s a motivating thing as much as anything, for us to see exactly where we need to go.”
With regards to the Colts, the Texans are acknowledging the dominance they suffered through two games last year, and seek to change it.
“No, we don’t run from that at all,” Smith said. “You can’t run from that past. We can do something. We can change our past. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
The only part of the Texans’ past with the Colts they don’t want to change is the undefeated streak. Houston is 2-0 against Indianapolis on Opening Day.
