Texans vs. Colts: Week 5 Recap
Arian Foster started the game strong, and the Texans opened up committed to the run. They started with 4 straight carries for 18 yards.
It was extremely refreshing to see the offense move down the field on their first series of the game. They methodically nickeled and dimed down the field getting a consistent 5 or 6 yards on each snap.
Every single interception thrown by Ryan Mallett this season has seemingly been on a tipped pass. They were threatening inside the 30 yard line and Arian Foster muffed a catch, tipped it up in the air, and allowed the Colts safety to easily intercept the pass.
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Indianapolis took the turnover and converted it into points, scoring a field goal on their first drive of the game.
The second drive of the game started well, and then Arian Foster lost a total of 9 yards on two plays, causing a 3rd and 19 and the subsequent punt.
When the defense came back out, they continued the trend of penalties and shooting themselves in the foot. The defense instantly put the Colts in scoring territory with a facemask penalty by Kareem Jackson. Then they proceeded to get embarrassed by Andre Johnson on a 23 yard catch and run, then 4 yard touchdown reception. Colts went up 10-0 in the first quarter.
The third drive of the game ended quickly after a failed quarterback sneak on 3rd and 1. The play call was predictable, and easily stopped; especially easy since the Texans yet again were slammed with injury. Two starting offensive lineman exited the game early. Derek Newton and the already replaced left guard Oday Aboushi were knocked out on the drive to start the second quarter. Luckily, they both returned to action later in the contest.
This Texans defense is embarrassing themselves, and can’t even stop a 40 year old quarterback that had zero practice all week due to a viral infection, and yet again…on a 3rd and 20, a defensive personal foul extended the drive. (Granted, it was an extremely questionable call on J.J. Watt) That turned into another 3 points for Indianapolis, as they went up 13-0 in the second quarter.
Ryan Mallett was knocked out of the game on a dirty hit by a Colt’s linebacker. Hoyer came in and then drove down the field for a field goal. Houston trailed 13-3 late in the first half.
The Texans coaching staff gambled and called timeouts trying to get the ball back to their offense for a two minute offensive possession. They killed themselves yet again on special teams, getting called for a holding penalty after a game-changing return by rookie Keith Mumphrey.
Hoyer returned to the game, even after Ryan Mallett was cleared and healthy to return. He then converted a hail mary pass to Jaelen Strong as the time expired in the first half. It was a beautiful 95 yard touchdown drive.
To open the second half, the Colts converted a huge return on special teams into instant points. Within 2 minutes and 4 plays, they went up 20-10. The defense is pathetic.
Hoyer came out and started the second half, and I felt horrible for Ryan Mallett. He was solid, and nothing that went wrong was his fault. He had a stat line of 7 for 10, 50 yards and 1 INT; the interception was not his fault in the slightest as it came on a straight up drop by Arian Foster.
DeAndre Hopkins was all over the Colts defense, going for 10 catches and 148 yards…while still in the third quarter.
Jaelen Strong had an amazing first NFL game, catching 2 touchdowns for his first two NFL receptions. After his second touchdown, the Texans trailed 20-17 with just over 4 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter.
Really sick and tired of watching J.J. Watt getting held play after play with no calls. It’s an absolute atrocity to witness. The NFL seriously needs to do something about it. Just because you’re the world’s best defensive lineman and are essentially unblockable (outside of double and triple teams), does not give the offensive line free reign to commit penalties consistently to stop you. It’s just repulsive.
Again with confusing and terrible penalties called AGAINST the Texans, as Clowney was called for a facemask on Frank Gore…when he didn’t touch his facemask. It put the Colts in scoring position yet again early in the 4th quarter.
Yay, the defense intercepted a pass on a great catch by Rahim Moore…yet they were penalized for defensive holding. They simply cannot get out of their own way, and it’s pathetic to watch. The penalty extended the drive, and again it was converted into points. The Colts went up 27-17 with 10:28 to play in the game.
Hoyer missed a wide open DeAndre Hopkins on a perfect double move that could have drawn the game to within a field goal; instead it was an inaccurate throw and resulted in a 4th down and field goal. The Texans trailed the Colts 27-20 with just over 6 minutes to go.
The Texan defense finally decided to show up with 3:39 to play in the 4th quarter trailing by a touchdown. They forced a punt, and gave the offense a chance to tie the game.
Hoyer ruined any chance that the Texans had of tying the game by making possibly the dumbest “decision” I’ve ever witnessed in all of my years of watching football. He had a solid 6 seconds to pass, then when saw pressure was coming, literally chunked the ball straight up to nobody in the middle of the field. Oh wait no, it was straight to the defense.
Texans fell to the Colts, on a night when their 40 year old backup quarterback hadn’t even practiced. It’s just pathetic. They should be embarrassed. It’s embarrassing just being a fan of this team right now. Final score was 27-20.
Tank for #1? I’m feeling it.