Texans-Colts Final Score: Andre Johnson Returns With A Vengeance

Final Score: Colts 27, Texans 20

Andre Johnson and the Colts came in NRG Stadium on Thursday night and finished off the Texans 27-0.

Everything was going the Texans' favor on as they faced the rival Colts. Andrew Luck was scratched from the game and Matt Hasselbeck was sick as a dog.

The Texans played like it was their game on the first drive. Arian Foster moved the Houston offense with ease -- only to have Ryan Mallett throw a rocket pass on a five-yard in. The ball tipped out of Foster's hands and into the waiting arms of the Colts' Mike Adams. The Colts quickly turned the turnover into points with a 48-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri.

The Texans reverted to their 2015 vintage, doing nothing on offense and continually shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. Andre Johnson got his revenge early, catching a 4-yard pass from Hasselbeck for a touchdown. Johnson would keep the following drive alive with key third down catches to allow for a second Vinatieri field goal.

A late hit on Ryan Mallett sent him to the sideline and brought in Brian Hoyer. (long sigh) Hoyer had a connection going with DeAndre Hopkins but they couldn't find the end zone. Houston settled for a Nick Novak field goal.

The Texans were on their last leg and a prayer -- Jaelen Strong answered that prayer. Hoyer threw up a 42-yard Hail Mary with no time on the clock in the first half.  Strong rose above the mass of bodies and brought the ball down for the score. The Texans trailed 13-10 at halftime.

The Colts killed all those good feelings at the start of the third quarter, driving the field in a minute and 58 seconds for a touchdown -- capped off by a Frank Gore three yard run. Houston was again behind the eight ball, 20-10.

The Texans clawed their way back into the game with the play of Hopkins and Foster. Jaelen Strong picked up his second touchdown (an 11-yard catch) with 4:03 left in the third. Houston then trailed 20-17.

Andre Johnson put the dagger in the Texans' heart with a one-yard slant catch for his second touchdown of the game. The Texans answered with a 49-yard drive, and then a 49-yard field goal by Novak.

The Texans gave themselves a chance with a key third down stop, getting the ball back with 3:25 left in the game and the ball on Houston 36. But Hoyer threw up a lame duck that Adams collected his second interception on -- icing the game.

Andre Johnson caught six balls for 77 yards and two scores in his return ‘home'. Frank Gore ran for 94 yards and touchdown.

Brian Hoyer was 24-for-31 for 312 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. DeAndre Hopkins caught 11 balls for 169 yards. Arian Foster accounted for over 100 yards of offense.

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