Clear edgeHOU
Houston Texans
84.8PFM Team Score#9 NFL
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts: PFM Team Comparison
The Houston Texans hold a clear overall advantage over the Indianapolis Colts in the current PFM ratings. Houston separates itself through the stronger defense and the stronger coaching operation.
Current PFM Team Scores
IND
Indianapolis Colts
76.1PFM Team Score#23 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Houston Texans Higher
The Houston Texans have the more dependable defense. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game. The Indianapolis Colts are closest in offense, where the teams remain essentially even.
Houston also brings the stronger coaching operation. Houston adds the steadier quarterback room. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Houston's clear overall advantage.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Houston vs. Indianapolis Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
HOUHouston Texans
INDIndianapolis Colts
INDIANAPOLIS’ BEST PUSHBACK
Offense Is Indianapolis’ Only Close Fight
Indianapolis' offense gives the team one place to push back. Indianapolis sits only 0.8 points behind Houston in Offense, but close is not the same as an edge. Houston still has C.J. Stroud at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Colts cannot match in this comparison.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
HOU84.8
Houston Texans 84.8IND76.1
Indianapolis Colts 76.1Overall NFL Rank
HOU#9
Houston Texans #9IND#23
Indianapolis Colts #23QB Stability
HOU83.3
Houston Texans 83.3IND77.0
Indianapolis Colts 77.0Roster Strength
HOU80.6
Houston Texans 80.6IND75.0
Indianapolis Colts 75.0Coaching Direction
HOU81.0
Houston Texans 81.0IND73.4
Indianapolis Colts 73.4Recent Performance
HOU89.1
Houston Texans 89.1IND80.7
Indianapolis Colts 80.7Offense
HOU79.1
Houston Texans 79.1IND78.3
Indianapolis Colts 78.3Defense
HOU85.8
Houston Texans 85.8IND74.9
Indianapolis Colts 74.9Franchise Direction
HOU80.2
Houston Texans 80.2IND72.8
Indianapolis Colts 72.8Explosiveness
HOU73.2
Houston Texans 73.2IND71.4
Indianapolis Colts 71.4Conference Rank
HOU#4
Houston Texans #4IND#11
Indianapolis Colts #11Division Rank
HOU#1
Houston Texans #1IND#3
Indianapolis Colts #3Outlook
HOUPlayoff ContenderINDIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Houston TexansTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Houston Texans
- Strongest Rating
- Defense
- Category Edge
- Defense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- No clear matchup concern
Houston's clearest category edge is Defense. The Texans can lean on their defense more than the Colts can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. Indianapolis does not own a separate category that creates a major matchup concern.
Indianapolis Colts
- Strongest Rating
- Offense
- Category Edge
- None in this matchup
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Defense
Indianapolis' strongest current rating is Offense, but Houston still leads that category. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Houston owns the clearer advantage.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Houston Texans
Full schedule rank: #24
Toughest stretch: Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers
View Houston Texans Road AheadIndianapolis Colts
Full schedule rank: #22
Toughest stretch: Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans
View Indianapolis Colts Road AheadIndianapolis has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 22. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Houston Texans. Houston also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger defense and the stronger coaching operation.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated July 24, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.