The Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans are set for a massive match-up this weekend, as the winner will be in the 2023 playoffs (and possibly a division winner) and the loser will be out of the race altogether.

With so much on the line for this week 18 showdown, the coaches for both teams are firmly focused on the opponent in front of them. We saw Colts’ Head Coach Shane Steichen praise Texans’ rookie quarterback C.J Stroud for playing “at an MVP level” earlier in the season. Houston Texans’ Head Coach Demeco Ryans also had some praise to dish out for Colts’ starting quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Ryans is no stranger to seeing how well Minshew has played this season, as these two teams faced off back in week two of this season. Minshew entered the game for the injured Anthony Richardson in the second quarter (with a 14-0 lead in hand). The veteran quarterback proceeded to complete 19 of 23 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown in the Colts’ 31-20 victory.

With so much riding on this upcoming match-up, I wanted to dive into Ryans’ comments on the Colts’ starting quarterback and give proper analysis and background to exactly what he was saying with his praise.

Minshew has been a bit of roller coaster ride for the Colts this year as the starter, throwing for 3,164 yards and 15 touchdowns with nine interceptions in 12 games started for the team. Those passing stats don’t really jump off of the page, but there has been some wild peaks and valleys in the quarterbacks’ games.

He began the season playing safe, conservative football in outings against the Texans, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Tennessee Titans. He threw for roughly 184 yards per game in that span and kept the turnover numbers relatively low. After that starting stretch, the era of gunslinger Gardner took over.

During the Colts’ three game losing streak to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cleveland Browns, and the New Orleans Saints, Minshew averaged 282 yards passing per game and had seven total touchdowns. Those numbers seem great on the surface, but the veteran quarterback also amassed nine turnovers in that three game stretch (five interceptions and four fumbles).

The Colts, and Minshew, have turned the corner since then however, as the team is 6-2 in the last eight games played. Minshew has found a steady rhythm as a passer in that stretch, averaging 220 yards passing per game and totaling nine touchdowns to seven turnovers in that span.