Recapping Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts in regular season

Indianapolis Colts 24 – 21 Houston Texans

The Houston Texans were going into Week 14 with a nine-game winning streak, but they were unable to defeat the Indianapolis Colts at home. The offense and defense slow start to the game was due in part in why they lost. The Texans only scored seven points in the first half compared to Colts’ 17 points. All three phases of the Texans improved in the second half and they limited the Colts to seven points, but they weren’t able to recover.

Deshaun Watson went 27 of 38 for 267 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and five carries for 35 rushing yards. Watson connected with eight different receivers in the second game against the Colts. The tight ends had a productive game with Ryan Griffin having 5 receptions for 80 receiving yards, Jordan Akins had 2 receptions for 40 yards, and Jordan Thomas had 4 receptions for 31 yards.

The receivers dealt with injuries early with DeAndre Carter being ruled out with a concussion, DeAndre Hopkins had 4 receptions 36 yards, Demaryius Thomas had 4 receptions for 48 yards, Joe Webb III had 2 receptions for 13 yards, and running back Lamar Miller had 5 receptions 19 yards. The running game struggled again but they were able to score in the red zone. Miller had 14 carries for 33 rushing yards and a touchdown meanwhile Alfred Blue had six carries for 21 yards and a touchdown.

Another issue why the Texans lost was due to the defense inability to get to the quarterback, J.J. Watt and Christian Covington only registered a sack in their second game. Although safety Andre Hal did manage to intercept Andrew Luck.

Luck had another successful game distributing the football, he was 27 of 41 for 399 passing yards,  he had two touchdown passes, and an interception. The inability to run the football made the Colts rely heavily on the passing game, Luck and running backs Marlon Mack, and Nyeheim Hines combined for 23 carries for 50 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The Colts defense had success getting to Watson and they sacked him a total of five times. Denico Autry had a couple of sacks meanwhile Margus Hunt, Darius Leonard, and Kenny Moore each had a sack. The Texans have the firepower to win on Saturday, but the offensive line will have to keep Watson enough time to make his progressions and put his receivers in position to succeed.