Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts

As the Houston Texans gear up for their Week 18 AFC South showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, the team’s latest practice notebook reveals a laser-focused defensive strategy—tailored to neutralize the Colts’ dynamic offense and secure a critical win for playoff positioning. Compiled by the Texans’ coaching staff and shared with players, the notebook breaks down three core areas of prep: containing Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson’s dual-threat ability, shutting down their run-heavy packages, and disrupting their passing attack to key receivers like Michael Pittman Jr. Each drill, film session, and scrimmage segment outlined in the notebook is designed to address specific tendencies the Colts have shown this season—from Richardson’s 68% scramble rate to the right side to their 4.9 yards per carry average in zone-running schemes. Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts unpacks the notebook’s key insights, how the Texans are translating them into on-field work, and why this targeted prep could be the difference in a win-or-go-home game.

The notebook’s top priority is containing Anthony Richardson, a task the Texans have drilled extensively through “scramble simulation” drills. Each practice this week, the Texans’ defense has faced a scout-team quarterback mimicking Richardson’s mobility—running designed bootlegs, escaping the pocket, and extending plays with his legs. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke has emphasized “gap discipline” in these drills: defensive linemen are taught to maintain their rush lanes instead of chasing Richardson, while linebackers and safeties drop into “containment zones” to cut off his escape routes. The notebook includes film clips of Richardson’s 450 rushing yards this season, with annotations highlighting his tendency to slow down before making a cut—a split-second window the Texans aim to exploit. “We’re not trying to tackle him in the open field right away,” Burke said, per the notebook. “We’re funneling him into areas where our playmakers—like Christian Harris or Jimmie Ward—can wrap him up. Richardson is fast, but he’s not uncatchable if we stay disciplined.” The notebook also notes that the Texans will use more “spy” packages against Richardson, with a linebacker (usually Harris) assigned to shadow him on every play. Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts frames this prep as make-or-break, as Richardson has accounted for 35% of the Colts’ total offensive yards this season.

Equally critical in the notebook is the Texans’ prep for stopping the Colts’ run game, which ranks 15th in the NFL with 118 yards per game. The Colts rely heavily on a zone-running scheme, often using two tight ends to seal the edge for running backs Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss. To counter this, the Texans have focused on “edge setting” drills in practice: defensive ends Mario Addison and Will Anderson Jr. work on shedding tight end blocks to collapse the Colts’ running lanes, while defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Taylor Stallworth practice “two-gap technique” to clog interior holes. The notebook includes a breakdown of the Colts’ most common run formation—the “12 personnel” (1 running back, 2 tight ends, 2 receivers)—and notes that they run 62% of their plays out of this set when leading or tied. In response, the Texans have added an extra defensive lineman to their base package in practice, shifting from a 4-3 to a 5-2 alignment to match the Colts’ extra tight end. “The Colts want to control the tempo with their run game,” defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said in the notebook. “Our job is to make them one-dimensional—force them to pass because running isn’t working.” The Texans have also simulated Taylor’s hard-cutting style in practice, using a scout-team running back to mimic his 4.3 yards per carry average and penchant for breaking tackles. Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts explores how this run-stopping prep will limit the Colts’ ability to control time of possession—a key factor in keeping the Texans’ offense on the field.

A third focus in the notebook is disrupting the Colts’ passing attack, particularly their reliance on Pittman Jr. in the slot. Pittman has recorded 89 catches for 1,023 yards this season, with 42% of his receptions coming from the slot—where the Colts target him on third downs 58% of the time. To counter this, the Texans have spent extra time in “slot coverage” drills, with cornerback Steven Nelson (fresh off a hamstring recovery) and nickelback Derek Stingley Jr. practicing press-man coverage against scout-team receivers mimicking Pittman’s size and route-running. The notebook includes a scouting report on Pittman’s tendencies: he favors slant routes on third-and-short and fade routes in the red zone, and he often uses his 6’4” frame to box out smaller corners. In response, the Texans have drilled “jam-and-recover” techniques, where Nelson or Stingley use their hands to disrupt Pittman’s release before dropping into coverage. “Pittman is the Colts’ security blanket,” secondary coach D’Anton Lynn wrote in the notebook. “If we can make Richardson look elsewhere, we’ll throw off their entire passing game.” The Indianapolis Colts have also relied on tight end Kylen Granson in the middle of the field, so the Texans have added “zone-drop” drills for linebackers, teaching them to read Richardson’s eyes and cut off passing lanes to Granson. Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts emphasizes how this passing-game prep will force the Colts into longer third downs, increasing the Texans’ chances of getting off the field.

The notebook also highlights special teams’ role in defensive prep, specifically how the Texans plan to limit the Colts’ return game—one of the most explosive in the NFL. The Colts’ Nyheim Hines ranks 5th in kickoff return average (27.1 yards per return) and has two return touchdowns this season, so the Texans have dedicated 20 minutes of each practice to “kickoff coverage” drills. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross has focused on “lane discipline” and “tackle technique,” teaching players to avoid overpursuing Hines and instead maintain their positions to funnel him toward the sideline. The notebook includes film of Hines’ return touchdowns, noting that he often cuts back against the grain to exploit overaggressive coverage. “Hines is a game-changer,” Ross wrote. “One big return can shift momentum, so we’re treating this like a defensive series—every play matters.” The Indianapolis Colts also have a dangerous punt return unit, with Ashton Dulin averaging 9.8 yards per return, so the Texans have practiced “punt protect” drills, ensuring their gunners can get downfield quickly to limit Dulin’s space. Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts notes that special teams’ defensive prep is often overlooked but could be critical in a close game—where a single return could decide the outcome.

Finally, the notebook emphasizes mental prep—a key component of defensive success against a Colts team that thrives on forcing mistakes. The Texans have held “film study sessions” after each practice, where players break down their own reps and the Colts’ tendencies, and “walkthroughs” where they practice their assignments without pads to ensure muscle memory. The notebook includes a “game-day checklist” for each defensive player, outlining their responsibilities on every possible Colts formation and down-and-distance scenario. “Defense isn’t just about physicality—it’s about knowing what’s coming,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said in the notebook. “We want our guys to be confident, not confused, when they step on the field.” The Indianapolis Colts have forced 21 turnovers this season, so the Texans have also drilled “ball-hawking” techniques, teaching players to strip the ball from Richardson and Taylor and read Richardson’s eyes for interception opportunities. The notebook concludes with a message from Ryans: “This game is about execution. We’ve put in the work—now we just need to go out and play.” Practice Notebook Highlights Defensive Prep for the Indianapolis Colts wraps up by noting that while talent and scheme matter, the Texans’ detailed, intentional prep—outlined in every page of the notebook—will be what separates them from the Colts on game day. For a team fighting for a playoff spot, this level of focus could be the key to extending their season.