Week 9 Viewer's Guide: What to watch in Texans-Colts; mailbag

My weekly look at key matchups and storylines to watch in one game at each time slot. (All times Eastern).

Sunday 1 p.m.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

Some in Houston are calling this the biggest game in franchise history. They may be right. The Texans are 5-3 and trying to earn their first playoff berth. Getting a win on the road and slaying the Colts dragon at the same time would be monumental and the breakthrough win they have been seeking.

They appear to be getting the Colts at exactly the right time. Even though Peyton Manning and company had solid yardage numbers against the 49ers last week, they generated just 18 points. Manning was not as sharp as normal, missing potential touchdown passes to Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon. Couple that San Francisco getting to Manning for three sacks, more than the Colts had given up all season, and you can see why the Texans are confident they can beat the Colts for just the second time in franchise history.

On the other side of the ball, the Colts defense is first in the league in points against. Their depth is about to be tested, however, as this week they lost cornerback Marlin Jackson and linebacker Tyjuan Hagler for the season and learned that safety Bob Sanders is out indefinitely because of elbow surgery. Stellar defensive back Kelvin Hayden is also battling injuries. That's a problem considering the Texans come into this game with red-hot quarterback Matt Schaub leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns, though he did lose tight end Owen Daniels this week.

Sunday 4:15 p.m.
San Diego Chargers at New York Giants

The Giants can't really be as bad as they have appeared the past three weeks, can they? Well, they are about to find out as their suspect secondary will be severely tested by emerging star wideout Vincent Jackson and tight end Antonio Gates. Look for the Chargers to attack C.C. Brown, who has struggled mightily and drawn the ire of the Giants faithful, many of whom are starting to believe the C.C. stands for "Can't Cover."

Offensively the Giants need to get back to their run-game roots against a Chargers front that hasn't made up for the loss of nose tackle Jamal Williams. When the Giants do throw, Eli Manning needs to snap out of the three-game funk he has been in. He may not have time against outside linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman, who litup JaMarcus Russell for multiple sacks last week.

Sunday 8:20 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

Anyone who has watched the Cowboys lately realizes how successful a talented offense can be when nobody cares who gets the credit. Are you listening, T.O.? And the Cowboys won't let the media cause any infighting after the harmless comments from Roy Williams this week that he and Tony Romo are not on the same page.