Can Colts Strike The Win Column To Avoid 0-3 Start?

The Indianapolis Colts will trade their traditional look and debut their anvil strike rivalries uniform, which is set to make its on-field appearance in Sunday’s home game against the AFC South foe Houston Texans. Given that it’s the 50th meeting between the AFC South rivals, the timing couldn’t be more fitting. 

The stampede will take the field sporting a metallic candy-blue helmet, designed specifically for the uniform. The darker jersey features a heather-gray, anthracite color scheme inspired by the heavier anvil steel. 

The horseshoe will still be there in the middle of the field to separate opposing territories, but it will be the first time in franchise history that has the horseshoe is integrated into its design on the jersey. The alternate Anvil Strike uniform is part of the NFL’s new rivalry series, a league-wide collaboration with Nike in an effort to celebrate the traditions, history and competitive spirit of divisional football. Colts owner and Chief Brand Officer Kalen Jackson mentioned on The Colts Show with JJ Stankevitz that the collaboration with Nike took more than two years to complete.

Sunday’s matchup comes at a time when the Colts could desperately use a different look. It’s been past time to switch things up as Indianapolis has lost its last nine games, including the last four at home. The Colts last home victory was 11 months ago against the Tennessee Titans.

The Colts own a 33-15-1 all-time record against the Texans. Indy dominated the early years of the series, winning 15 of the first 16 meetings during Peyton Manning’s prime. But DeMeco Ryans’ Texans have controlled the rivalry recently, winning each of the last five meetings during the Shane Steichen era. Despite the winless record, all five games were decided by one possession and the average margin of victory has been just 4.2 points.

Both coaches were hired by their respective clubs in 2023. Ryans was named the Pro Football Writer’s Association Coach of the Year in his debut campaign, owning a 32-21 regular season record with a 3-3 playoff record in Houston.

The biggest disparity between the divisional foes is on the defensive side of the football. The Colts have struggled on the dark side and rank dead last in total defense, allowing an eye-popping 515 yards per game. The secondary has surrendered 338 passing yards per game, also last in the league. The Colts have allowed 74 points and carry a minus-225 yards-per-game differential through the first two weeks, which are all dead last in the rankings.

After a gut-wrenching, 33-30 overtime road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, Indianapolis enters must-win territory to avoid the dreaded 0-3 start. Only seven NFL teams have recovered from a 0-3 start, although the Texans are the lone team to accomplish that feat this century in 2018 and 2025. Now Houston flies into Indy, aiming to avoid another 0-3 start. 

The Colts host the Texans on Sunday inside Lucas Oil Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.