Post-Game Recap/Final Score: Texans 22, Colts 17

The Texans managed to hang on in Indianapolis to maintain their lead in the AFC South in what was another prime example of the Texans’ phenomenal pass defense.

The opening half began with the Colts managing to drive down the field 74 yards before Houston’s defense held them to force a field goal for the Colts. The Texans responded a few series later when a errant throw by Andrew Luck was intercepted by Quintin Demps, which left the Texans in the Colts’ red zone. However, the Texans could not capitilise and they too had to settle for a field goal. The two teams traded series (Brock Osweiler threw an interception, which the Colts did not take advantage of) before the Texans drove 80 yards down the field, ending with Lamar Miller scampering in for a TD to put the Texans up 10-3. With time running out in the first half, the Colts attempted to respond, but the Texans; pass rush hassled Andrew Luck into throwing another pick, this time to Andre Hal. With prime field position and time remaining in the half, the Texans ended the second quarter with Nick Novak putting another three on the board to give the Texans with a 10 point lead at the break.

The Texans continued their momentum with an opening drive of the second half adding another three, again through Nick Novak, to put them ahead 16-3. The Colts responded with Andrew Luck and Frank Gore combining for an 18 yard touchdown to bring the Colts back into it. The Colts again threatened a few series later, bringing the ball all the way down into the Texans’ red zone before Jadeveon Clowney strip-sacked Andrew Luck deep in Houston’s territory to remove the danger. The Texans would add another field goal in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 19-10, but the Colts finally caught a break when T.Y Hilton got free of Robert Nelson for Andrew Luck to find for a 35 yard touchdown, cutting the Texans’ lead to only two points.

The Texans response was to drive 58 yards to score another field goal to add to their lead. More important than that, the Texans forced the Colts to burn their remaining timeouts and forced them to drive down the field with under three minutes to go. The Colts were stifled again by the Texans’ terrific pass defense, which stopped them on a key 4th & 1 to give the ball back to the Texans and secure the win for the Texans.

While it could have been prettier, a win is a win. The Texans stay atop the AFC South at 7-6.