IND
Indianapolis Colts
76.1PFM Team Score#23 NFL
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Houston Texans higher than the Indianapolis Colts overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the stronger defense and the stronger coaching operation.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgeHOU
Houston Texans
84.8PFM Team Score#9 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Houston Texans Higher
The Houston Texans own the stronger defense. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day. 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. PFM still has the Houston Texans in front.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Indianapolis vs. Houston 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.
INDIndianapolis Colts
HOUHouston Texans
INDIANAPOLIS’ BEST PUSHBACK
Offense Is Indianapolis’ Only Close Fight
Indianapolis' offense gives the team one place to push back. The Colts are only 0.8 points behind Houston in Offense, but that is where Indianapolis' case ends. 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
IND76.1
Indianapolis Colts 76.1HOU84.8
Houston Texans 84.8Overall NFL Rank
IND#23
Indianapolis Colts #23HOU#9
Houston Texans #9QB Stability
IND77.0
Indianapolis Colts 77.0HOU83.3
Houston Texans 83.3Roster Strength
IND75.0
Indianapolis Colts 75.0HOU80.6
Houston Texans 80.6Coaching Direction
IND73.4
Indianapolis Colts 73.4HOU81.0
Houston Texans 81.0Recent Performance
IND80.7
Indianapolis Colts 80.7HOU89.1
Houston Texans 89.1Offense
IND78.3
Indianapolis Colts 78.3HOU79.1
Houston Texans 79.1Defense
IND74.9
Indianapolis Colts 74.9HOU85.8
Houston Texans 85.8Franchise Direction
IND72.8
Indianapolis Colts 72.8HOU80.2
Houston Texans 80.2Explosiveness
IND71.4
Indianapolis Colts 71.4HOU73.2
Houston Texans 73.2Conference Rank
IND#11
Indianapolis Colts #11HOU#4
Houston Texans #4Division Rank
IND#3
Indianapolis Colts #3HOU#1
Houston Texans #1Outlook
INDIn the Playoff MixHOUPlayoff Contender
Stronger outlook: Houston TexansTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
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.
Houston Texans
- Strongest Rating
- Defense
- Category Edge
- Defense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- No clear matchup concern
Houston's clearest category edge is Defense. Defense is one of the clearest reasons the Houston Texans sit higher against the Indianapolis Colts. The unit gives the offense more chances to recover from a bad drive. Indianapolis does not own a separate category that creates a major matchup concern.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Indianapolis 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 AheadHouston 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 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.