The Indianapolis Colts (7-4) are set to visit the Houston Texans (4-7) for a Week 13 battle at NRG Stadium on Sunday.

This is the first matchup between the Colts and Texans, who will be playing again just two weeks later in Week 15. Before the game kicks off, we caught up with Mark Lane, editor of Texans Wire, to get the scoop on Indy’s Week 13 opponent.

Here’s our Behind Enemy Lines with Texans Wire:

1. Colts fans are sad to see Bill O’Brien go. But it was time. What’s the outlook for the Texans moving forward and are there any favorites in the race for a head coach hire?

Mark Lane: The McNairs have hired the same headhunting firm that produced O’Brien in 2014 to conduct their coaching and general manager search in 2020. So, Colts fans may get a hire they like.

There aren’t any favorites at the moment. The favorites don’t start cropping up until about this time of the year anyway. Safety Justin Reid did say that he is a fan of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy though. I think they need to leave offensive coordinator Tim Kelly in place and hire a defensive-minded coach.

Robert Saleh, the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, would be perfect, especially since he is an alumni of the Texans’ assistant coaching ranks anyway.

2. We gotta ask. What’s the overall feeling about the DeAndre Hopkins trade now that we are 12 weeks in?

ML: The feeling of seeing your ex and her new husband riding around in your 1991 Chevy Camaro convertible with the top down.

3. With Will Fuller suspended, who will the Texans need to count on in the passing game?

ML: Brandin Cooks immediately becomes the favorite as he has 52 catches for 719 yards and three touchdowns, all categories second to Fuller. However, there are opportunities that will come available for receiver Keke Coutee, their 2018 fourth-round pick from Texas Tech, who Colts fans should be familiar with from his outstanding performances his rookie year. Coutee caught a 6-yard touchdown pass in relief of Randall Cobb against the New England Patriots in Week 11. Houston also has a fifth-round rookie from Rhode Island, Isaiah Coulter, who will no doubt see more reps from this. The thing with Deshaun Watson is his favorite receiver is an open receiver. Whoever can consistently get open and produce will benefit from the loss of Fuller.

4. Who has been the biggest surprise for Houston this season?

ML: He won’t be seen this series, but defensive tackle P.J. Hall has been a pleasant surprise. His season ended with shoulder surgery, but he had a nice turnaround after the Oakland Raiders drafted him in 2018 in the second round. He’s a nearby kid from Sam Houston State (think Ball State for y’all), which makes it sweeter.

Third-round outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard has earned some snaps recently and provided 1.0 sack. Part of the problem for Houston is there aren’t many names like these to present. Every team has its stars, but winning teams have a “bold peasantry” that consistently gets the job done, and that has not manifested for Houston this year.

5. Final score, prediction?

ML: Houston falls behind 17-0 but claws their way back and makes it an interesting ballgame near the end, but Watson remains 1/3 quarterbacks this year who has started every game and failed to engineer a fourth quarter comeback or game-winning drive. Indianapolis prevails 27-26.

Be sure to follow Mark and Texans Wire for all your Texans needs ahead of the game.