Last meeting
In Week 5, the Texans turned the ball over three times in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter, leading to a 31-27 Colts win on the road.
Last week
Sage Rosenfels threw four interceptions as the Texans were blown out by the Ravens, 41-13. ... The Colts used three Peyton Manning touchdowns to rally from a 17-7 first-half deficit and beat the Steeelers, 24-20, on the road.
Keep your eye on ...
Rosenfels second start vs. Indy: Rosenfels led the Texans to wins in four of his five starts last year but hasn't had the same success this season. In two starts, Rosenfels has turned the ball over seven times, both losses. While the Colts have the league's seventh-ranked pass defense, they have put little pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season; only two teams have fewer sacks then the Colts, who have 12.
Indy's defense: It should surprise no one at this point that Colts safety Bob Sanders' return from a five-game absence coincided with two come-from-behind victories. On Sunday, the Colts intercepted Ben Roethlisberger three times and stopped the Steelers on a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. Sanders' return has injected life into the Colts' defense.
Ratliff's redemption: Indianapolis' defensive success has always hinged on an abililty to get the most out of lesser-known players. Case and point is DB Keiwan Ratliff, a second-round draft pick by the Bengals and a two-time roster casualty by the Colts this season. Injuries in the defensive backfield led to Ratliff's return prior to Week 9 and he's responded with 15 tackles and an interception in two games.
Did you know?
Texans WR Andre Johnson is averaging 120.2 receiving yards over his past six games. Johnson totaled nine receptions for 131 yards in Week 5 against Indianapoplis and aims for his third consecutive game with a TD against the Colts. ... The Colts are 6-0 against the Texans at home. ... Colts TE Dallas Clark has three touchdowns in his past three games.
