Colts vs Texans, Live Stream FREE! Watch Online @ 12 PM CT
In a matchup that features two playoff teams, the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) will face off against the Houston Texans (12-3) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. However, the real story revolves around the sidelines as Colts' coach Chuck Pagano makes his return after a successful three-month battle against leukemia.
Pagano spoke to ESPN about his overall health and how grateful he is to be back alongside the gridiron for the first time since Week 3.
"I feel great, my weight is back, my energy is back and again, it's just a blessing to be back here," he said.
During Pagano's time away, Bruce Arians took over the club as interim head coach.
"He's always been our head coach," Arians said.
Although the Colts can't drop below the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture no matter what their outcome against the Texans is, Pagano will attempt to add some more momentum heading into the postseason.
One week after Indianapolis lost in Houston, QB Andrew Luck orchestrated another late-game comeback to give the Colts a 20-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
On the other hand, unlike Indianapolis, Houston hasn't been playing its best football as of late. Aside from its win over Indianapolis at home, the Texans were defeated by a combined 45 points against the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Nonetheless, Houston still has an opportunity to clinch home-field advantage with a victory on Sunday, and/or if the Denver Broncos and Patriots both lose.
"We know what it takes. We're going to get focused, and then we're going to come out there and earn ourselves home-field advantage," said defensive end J.J. Watt, who needs just two sacks to tie Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22 ½.
CLICK HERE to watch the Houston Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts via free live stream. Coverage of the NFL game is set to begin at 12 p.m. CT.