The Houston Texans will host the Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 season opener. The Colts beat the Texans 31-3 and 31-0 in the two meetings last year.
The Indianapolis Colts went 9-8 last season but missed the playoffs after choking by losing the last two games, especially the season finale 26-11 to Jacksonville in an upset that sent shockwaves through the league.
In 2021 the Colts were 16th in total offense, averaging 347.1 yards per game, and tied for ninth scoring 26.5 ppg. The defense was also 16th allowing 343.2 ppg, and ninth allowing 21.5 ppg.
The expectations are high coming into 2022, as the Colts look to contend for a division title. The most significant change to the roster has been the addition of Matt Ryan from Atlanta, with Carson Wentz now in Washington D.C. The Colts did not have a first-round pick in the 2022 draft and used their top pick in the second round on wide receiver Alec Pierce from Cincinnati. Pierce has a big opportunity to make an impact this season with Colts legend T.Y Hilton is now gone along with wide receiver Zach Pascal departing.
Matt Ryan will be with a new team after spending 2008-2021 with the Falcons after throwing for 59,735 yards with 367 touchdowns against 170 interceptions and a career 94.2 passing rating. With a new team, although a veteran and possible future Hall of Famer, Ryan still needs to adjust to a new environment.
New year. New team. Same goal. #ColtsCamp pic.twitter.com/dTuf7MgiXf
— Matt Ryan (@M_Ryan02) July 29, 2022
The Colts have one of the best running backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor who was first in the NFL in rushing (1,811 yards) and touchdowns (18) while averaging 5.5 yards per atttempt in 2021. He averaged 6.3 yards per attempt and had four total touchdowns and 288 yards between the two games against the Texans last season.