Recapping Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts in regular season
By Jair Lopez
Houston Texans 37 – 34 Indianapolis Colts
The Houston Texans offense was in a funk early on during the season, but they were able to break the 30 point threshold and scored 37 against the Colts’ defense. Deshaun Watson was 29 of 42 for 365 passing yards, two touchdowns to one interception, and completed 69 percent of his attempted passes. He completed a pass to six different receivers within the offense.
The receivers had a lot of success against the Colts’ secondary with DeAndre Hopkins having 10 receptions for 169 receiving yards and a touchdown meanwhile rookie Keke Coutee had 11 receptions for 109 receiving yards. Will Fuller also had four receptions for 49 touchdowns and a touchdown before exiting the game with a hamstring injury.
The running game was decent in their first encounter as Lamar Miller had 14 carries for 49 rushing yards, Alfred Blue had 13 carries for 31 yards, and Watson had six carries for 41 yards and a rushing touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney each had a couple of sacks for the game. Clowney, in particular, had a good performance in his first encounter with the Colts and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a defensive touchdown for the Texans.
The Colts on the other hand also had success with their offense, Andrew Luck was 40 of 62 for 464 passing yards, four touchdowns and completed 65 percent of his passes. The Colts were forced to resort to the passing game after their running attack was shut down by the Texans front seven. Running backs Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines, Jeremy McNichols combined for 14 carries for 30 rushing yards meanwhile Luck carried the ball for 3 times for 11 yards.
Receivers T.Y. Hilton had four receptions for 115 receiving yards and Chester Rogers had 8 receptions for 85 yards. Although running back Hines had two receiving touchdowns, receiver Zach Pascal and tight end Eric Ebron each had a receiving touchdown.
The Colts’ defense also had a successful game getting to Watson and sacked him seven times. Denico Autry had two sacks, Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker Jr, Margus Hunt, and Jihad Ward each had a sack in the game. Jabaal Sheard and Kemoko Turay each had half a sack meanwhile defensive back Pierre Desir managed to notch an interception.
Texans special teams put them over top in overtime and Kaimi Fairbairn had a good game going three of four in his field goal kicks and making all his extra points. Colts kicker, Adam Vinatieri, went two for two in his kicks and made both of his extra point attempts.