:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41448872/456963254.0.jpg)
In a huge nationally televised AFC South showdown for early control of the division, the Houston Texans wilted under the spotlight early, only to have their chance to pull out a dramatic victory evaporate due to two costly fumbles.
Andre Johnson's late fourth quarter catch and fumble ended a potential game-winning drive, but Houston's defense responded - as it so often did in the second half - by forcing the Colts to punt. Ryan Fitzpatrick then had the Texans in the difficult position of 1st and 10 with just over two minutes to go, 91 yards away from victory.
Buuuuuut then we were quickly reminded that our quarterback situation, you know, kind of sucks.
Fitzpatrick teased the fans with a bit of a near Tuck Rule impression before coughing the ball up. DeAndre Hopkins decided "Eh, I'm just gonna kind of hang back rather than go all out for the ball," and the next thing you know, the air was let out of the stadium, and another superhuman effort by J.J. "Am I going to have to take QB snaps" Watt was wasted.
Watt finished the game with seven tackles, two sacks, three passes defensed, a fumble recovery, a fumble return for a touchdown, and one horrible, deplorable, ill-advised white man dance that will haunt him the rest of his days.
Quick reaction to this one is that Brian Cushing picked the wrong game to be mic'd up, because he was, how you say, not good. Nor was D.J. Swearinger or Kareem Jackson. On the offense... sorry - the "offense" - Fitzpatrick was who he always is and has been, Duane Brown had one very costly wiff at a cut block, and Ben Jones' struggles were amplified since the guy who relieves him was starting at the other guard position. Arian Foster had another superb effort and continues to look as good as ever, really.
The Colts are now rolling, having won four games in a row to push to 4-2, while Houston drops to 3-3.
Before taking on the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Monday night October 20th, Houston now has a long break to evaluate, lick their wounds and decide to continue on with this charade of a quarterback situation (it doesn't matter who starts, really).
Ugly finish to an exciting game. I mean, I want to be excited that they even made a contest of it after such a horrific start - but what can you do after a maddening finish like that?
Colts vs Texans coverage