HOUSTON — If the Houston Texans are to defeat the Indianapolis Colts and reclaim sole possession of first place in the AFC South, they must contain third-year quarterback Andrew Luck in the nationally televised game Thursday night.

Luck, who went to junior high and high school in Houston before Jim Harbaugh convinced him to attend Stanford, is 3-1 against the Texans, including a three-game winning streak.

Luck leads the NFL with 14 touchdown passes, helping the Colts compile a three-game winning streak after an 0-2 start.

In four games against the Texans, Luck is 64-for-127 (50.4 percent) for 828 yards with nine touchdown passes and one interception. His passer rating is 91.6. He was sacked 11 times.

One of Luck’s strengths is his ability to extend plays. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, he can run and he can take a hit. He will stand in under pressure and wait for his receivers to get open downfield.

“One of the reasons they have the number of yards they have is because he’ll go down the field when it’s open and available for him,” Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “They’ve been doing a pretty good job of protecting him. He’s a big and strong guy in the pocket. He can handle some hits, but I don’t think he wants to stand back there and get beat up, either.

“He does what he feels he needs to do to make the offense operate.”

The Colts are second in offense at 439.6 yards per game and first in passing at 321.8 yards per game.

The Texans have only one effective pass rusher, defensive end J.J. Watt, but he has just two sacks — the same number as the touchdowns he has scored. Crennel moves him around to try to offset game plans designed for him, but Watt is getting little help when it comes to the pass rush.

All Watt knows is that he must get after Luck.

“He’s had a lot of success in his young career, and he’s only going to get better,” Watt said. “He’s not afraid to take a hit while delivering the ball. I think you have to respect that. He does a good job of using that size and strength, and he’s faster than people give him credit for.

“I literally don’t know anything about how to tell how a quarterback improves. I don’t know how to judge him. All I do is try and get him. All I can do is worry about the offensive line in front of him and try to get to him before he gets the ball off. It makes for a good challenge.”

The Texans saw the best of what Luck has to offer in a prime-time game at NRG Stadium last season. The Texans were cruising with a 21-3 halftime lead when coach Gary Kubiak suffered a stroke and was replaced by defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

The Texans led 24-6 with time running out in the third quarter, but Luck connected with wide receiver T.Y. Hilton for three touchdowns, and the Colts escaped with a 27-24 victory.

Obviously, the Texans can’t afford a repeat performance.