Bain There, Done That: Houston, we have a problem

Houston, we have a problem.

For once in franchise history, it's not the Houston Texans uttering the phrase that I'm sure has become hackneyed in southeast Texas. Rather, it's the Indianapolis Colts who may be sweating as they visit Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 9 of the NFL season.

For years, Indianapolis has been the class of the AFC South. Since the NFL's realignment before the 2002 season, the Colts have finished no lower than second in the four-team division, making the playoffs each year. In addition to winning numerous individual awards, five division titles and Super Bowl XLI, the Colts have also earned the giant bull's-eye that comes with the territory of being an NFL superpower.

The Colts have been looking over their shoulder at their division rivals for the better part of the decade, as Tennessee, Jacksonville and Houston took turns trying to dethrone the Colts. For the most part, Indy has managed to hold them off thanks to smart drafting, a bend-but-don't-break defense, and the brilliance of quarterback Peyton Manning.

This season, the Titans and Jags are among the worst teams in the NFL, while the Colts keep chugging along, on pace for another division title and trying not to think about securing a first-round bye. But the Colts now have to worry about the Texans, their AFC South kid brother who wants to sit at the grownups' table.

Since they entered into the NFL in 2002, the Texans have been a middle team. They have an overall record of 40-72, have never finished higher than third in the division, and they are the only NFL team that has not played a post-season game. When back-to-back 8-8 seasons count as progress, you know your team has struggled throughout its existence.

This year, with Jacksonville and Tennessee floundering, the Texans (5-3) have the Colts (7-0) squarely in their sights, with an eye on a wild card berth just in case. What's interesting, though, is that the Texans have dismissed the Titans' and Jags' blueprint for how to beat the Colts. Instead of trying to bludgeon the Colts between the trenches, the Texans will try to beat them at their own game: a high-scoring shoot-out.

Matt Schaub can be a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback when healthy, and his arsenal of offensive weapons isn't too shabby, as evidenced by the Texans' 31-10 romp in Buffalo last week. The running game is anchored by Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats, and Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and Andre Davis provide speed for both the receiving and return games. Most importantly, Schaub has Andre Johnson, one of the NFL's best wide-outs.

This game shapes up to be huge for Houston, but it still has a lot to overcome. The Texans (Schaub and Slaton in particular) tend to be turnover-prone, which is never a good sign, especially with Manning so adept at turning possessions into points. Schaub will be missing tight end Owen Daniels, who suffered a season-ending injury last week. Finally, the Texans sport a ghastly 1-13 lifetime record against Indy.

The Colts, though, have issues of their own. Linebacker Tyjuan Hagler is out for the season, wide-out Anthony Gonzalez is still injured, and punishing safety Bob Sanders still isn't at full strength. Indy can't afford to overlook Houston this week, with big games looming as the next two against New England and in Baltimore.

If the Texans are to make a move before the Colts run away yet again with the AFC South, now is the time. Or else Houston could be looking at the same problems they've had before.