Colts Keep Season Alive, Upset Texans on the Road

The Colts upset the Houston Texans on the road today, 24-21. Last week, an AFC South team ended the win streak of one of the hottest teams in the NFL. This week, it happened again: the Colts kept the Texans from winning 10 straight. With this win, the Colts sit at 7-6 and are still in the thick of the AFC playoff race. A 17 point second quarter gave the Colts a lead they would never relinquish.

After an abysmal showing against the Jaguars last week, Andrew Luck bounced back in a big way. He finished the day 399 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He was nearly flawless as that one interception was a dropped pass that turned into a pick. Luck was back in his groove against Houston. The run game didn’t do much but Marlon Mack scored a touchdown. The Colt offensive line did an excellent job containing the Texans’ vicious pass rush, only conceding two sacks and five QB hits.

• Grading the 2021 Offseason for the AFC’s 2020 Playoff Teams
• The Indianapolis Colts Have Something the Rest of the AFC South Doesn’t
• Miami Faces WHO? Toughest Games on Dolphins’ 2021-22 Schedule
• What If Andrew Luck Hadn’t Retired? We Asked The Colts’ Jim Irsay
• Just For Kicks: Adam Vinatieri Officially Call It a Career

The Texans should consider renaming NRG Stadium to Hilton Hotels Arena, because T.Y. Hilton owns the Texans. He is the all time leader in receiving yards per game in NRG stadium, ahead of the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and the great Andre Johnson. Hilton ripped apart the Texans’ secondary for 199 yards on nine catches. Eric Ebron caught his 12th touchdown of the season, adding 65 yards. Zach Pascal scored on a filthy double move, catching five balls for 68 yards.

Shareece Wright had man on Zach Pascal on the touchdown. That's why they've been playing so much zone. Bit on the double move. pic.twitter.com/q1mhqtimch

— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) December 9, 2018

The Colts’ defense played a very good game for the most part on Sunday. DeShaun Watson threw for 267 yards and a late touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins but the Colts held him in check for much of the game. They neutralized Watson’s legs, holding him to only 35 rushing yards. The Colt defensive line dominated a poor Texan offensive line, flustering Watson all day. They sacked Watson five times and hit him seven. Denico Autry continued his hot streak, recording two sacks, two tackles for loss, and two QB hits. Darius Leonard had a great showing, recording 12 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, a QB hit, and a pass deflection covering DeAndre Hopkins.

At 7-6, the Colts are right in there for the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs and need to keep winning. The Colts take on the Dallas Cowboys in Lucas Oil next week.

Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.