Colts Make me eat my words
Dec 30, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak (right) talks with quarterback Matt Schaub (8) during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Week 17 was a week where the Texans may have costs themselves a first round bye. It is also a week where my predictions were way off.
My first prediction was the Houston would rush for more than 120 yards. While running back Arian Foster did finish strong, he was inept in the first half, as was the Texan offense. Without Foster to set up the pass, the offense sputtered to only 6 points at the end of the first half.
My second prediction went hand and hand with the first, as I stated that quarterback Matt Schaub would throw 2 touchdown passes. He had good yardage, but instead of touchdowns, he threw 2 interceptions. This was a bad performance by Schaub, and the Texans should be close to hitting the panic button as the playoffs begin next week.
My next predication was that defensive end J.J. Watt would tie Michael Strahan’s sack record. Watt had a quiet performance this week compared to his week 15 – 3 sack performance in round 1 against the Colts. Watt can get pressure and make his presence known, but he’ll stay out of the record books this year.
My last prediction was that the Texans would edge the Colts by a touchdown, 24-17 to be exact. The final score was 28-16 Colts. The Colts made two plays that down right deflated the Texans. They were after all the last two scores of the game. The first would be by former Jaguar Deji Karim, as he ran a kickoff return 102 yards up the middle untouched. Karim seemingly ran in a straight line as he down right burned 11 men down the field for a score. This was right after a Shayne Graham field goal.
The last score was with eleven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Colts lined up in a 5-receiver set, with rookie T.Y. Hilton running a vertical out of the left hand slot. Safety Quintin Demps favored the right hand three receiver side, which allowed Hilton to snag a 70 – yard touchdown grab as he found separation over the top. What made this worse was it was on a 3rd and 23 yard situation.
The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots are currently finishing up the first half of play; and it appears grim for the Texans to have a first round bye. There is still a half of play remaining, but all the Texans can do is remain hopeful, with fingers crossed, as the Giants players and fans did earlier today.
– Antonio Furgiuele