NFL PREVIEW: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-4) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (11-2)

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COLTS: Club has made 9-game improvement over last season (0-13) through Week 14. Seek 4th straight win vs. AFC South…QB ANDREW LUCK (3,792) surpassed PEYTON MANNING (3,739) for 2nd-most passing yards by rookie in NFL history last week. Has 6 game-winning drives in 4th quarter or OT, most by rookie since 1970 merger. Luck’s 9 wins are most by rookie QB who was drafted No. 1 overall in SB era (since 1966). Attended Stratford HS in Houston, TX…Rookie RB VICK BALLARD posted career-best 94 rush yards last week…WR REGGIE WAYNE (1,220) surpassed 1,200-yard mark for 6th time in his career & joined HOFer JERRY RICE (11), RANDY MOSS (8), MARVIN HARRISON (6) & TORRY HOLT (6) as only players with at least 6 such seasons. Wayne (94) needs 6 rec. to reach 100 for 4th time in career & tie for most in NFL history. Has 12 TD rec. vs. Texans, most vs. any team. Rookie WR T.Y. HILTON has 4 100-yard receiving game, most among rookies in ’12…CB CASSIUS VAUGHN had INT-return TD last week, 1st of season…LB DWIGHT FREENEY has 15.5 sacks vs. Hou., most vs. any team…TEXANS: Have most wins in single-season in franchise history (11). Texans have won 9 of past 11 vs. AFC South…Since ’11, QB MATT SCHAUB has 18-5 record (.783), 3rd-best among NFL starting QBs (min. 10 starts)…RB ARIAN FOSTER (1,148) needs 52 rush yards to reach 1,200 for 3rd consecutive season. Foster averages 163.7 rush yards per game with 5 rush TDs in 3 career games vs. Ind. RB BEN TATE rushed for 116 yards & TD in last game at home vs. Colts…WR ANDRE JOHNSON is averaging 153 rec. yards per game in past 4 (612 total). Johnson (10,865) needs 135 receiving yards to reach 11,000 career. Rookie WR LESTAR JEAN is averaging 28.3 yards per catch in past 2. TE OWEN DANIELS has career-best 6 TD rec. in ’12…DE J.J. WATT (16.5) has most sacks in season in Texans history…Rookie LB WHITNEY MERCILUS is tied for 1st among AFC rookies with 6 sacks…LB BRYAN BRAMAN leads club with 12 tackles on special teams.