The Houston Texans open their ninth season of existence with great playoff expectations. But to play in late January, the Texans just might have to beat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in early September.

Houston is 1-15 against the Colts since the Texans came into existence in 2002 and the sight of Manning and that Colts' horseshoe logo is a mental block as well as a talent one. Consider that the Texans held 17-point leads over Indianapolis in the team's last two meetings in Houston — and still lost both games. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are capable of trading big plays with the Colts' offense, the question is whether a Texans defense missing suspended linebacker Brian Cushing can contain Manning at all.

Few Week One games carry greater potential season-long repercussions than this one at Reliant Stadium. The Texans could know the entire tone of their season by around 3:15 p.m. Sunday.