Before Sunday’s games, an argument could be made that the best team in Texas plays in Houston, not Dallas.
But then they played Sunday’s games.
For the team from Houston, the game at Indianapolis represented an opportunity to make history. Never before had the Texans, who joined the league in 2002, been three games over .500.
Early on, it looked like the Colts would easily run their all-time record against the Texans to 14-1, via a quick 10-point lead that eventually became 13.
But the door opened when safety Bernard Pollard picked off a short pass from Peyton Manning deep in Texans territory. Pollard took the ball out to the 50 and a few plays later, with two ticks on the first-half clock, Kris Brown’s 56-yard field goal cut the margin to 10 at the turn.
There was unease in Indy during intermission. With 40 passes from Peyton in the first two quarters, the game was closer than it should have been.
The margin shrunk to three after the Texans held the ball for more six minutes to start the second half, on a 12-play drive. Despite getting the ball near the middle of the field after a 15-yard roughness call on Connor Barwin during the kickoff return, the Colts went three and out.
Thirteen plays later — and on the first play of the fourth quarter — Texans tailback Steve Slaton took it in from the one (without fumbling) and gave the Texans an unlikely lead, 17-13.
On the next drive, Bernard Pollard picked off another one, on a poorly-conceived end-around pass from Reggie Wayne. But after the Texans couldn’t do anything with the opportunity to stretch the lead to seven or more, Manning and company woke up, going 61 yards in eight plays to take back the lead.
With two more drives, however, the Texans managed no further points. First, quarterback Matt Schaub coughed up a wobbler after being hit while throwing. Then, with only one second left, the guy who was good from 56 pulled a Hauschka from 42.
“I missed the kick,” Brown said after the game, per the Indianapolis Star. “I went out there, went through my
routine. I felt the ball come off my foot really well. The ball just
moved a little left.”
Publicly at least, coach Gary Kubiak is supporting Brown. “Kris has made a lot of big kicks for us, and he’s going to make a lot
more,” Kubiak said, per the Houston Chronicle. “I told him we believe in him, and we’re going to
count on him again. He’s been kicking very well.”
The eighth win to start the year is also the 17th straight regular-season victory for the Colts, tying them for the third longest streak in league history. With 318 yards passing, Manning remains on pace to break the single-season yardage record. With a sack in his ninth straight game, defensive end Dwight Freeney is only one sack in his next game away from tying the all-time record. And if the Colts can win one more, Jim Caldwell’s 9-0 start will be the best ever for a first-time NFL head coach.
It won’t be easy. Next week, in prime time, the Patriots visit Indianapolis.
For the 5-4 Texans, the bye week gives them a chance to get ready for a stretch run that features five winnable games. But if the Texans really want to make it to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, they need to show they can win one of the other two — visits from the Colts and the Patriots.
The Texans are a good, emerging team. They need more talent at a few more positions to compete with the big boys.
simply put, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME LOSERS LOSE AND WINNERS WIN. I wish yall couldve both lost but as a titans fan eyeing an wildcard spot (no matter how foolish it seems to people on the outside looking in) i wanted the colts to keep the texans close to us so we can make our move later in the season
The Texans have plenty of real talent on both sides of the ball. The weapons offered are staggering. The biggest problem for the Texans is Kubiak’s undying faith in Matt Schaub. It has come to the point in every single game where we can EXPECT Schaub to throw a few pics. We can EXPECT him to stand around in the pocket and get knocked on his duff. We can EXPECT his failures when under pressure, and we can EXPECT that when flushed from said pocket, he will lumber around and gain absolutely nothing for his minimal efforts.
Sure, at this point in the season he has some numbers, but dont think he wont hit a Favre-esque type number in his career… turnovers.
The only weapons/talent Houston needs is behind the center, plain and simple. (and possibly carry a big stick to the sidelines for those who would fumble on the goal lines)
@texastrat Totally disagree with your assessment. Schaub is an excellent QB… maybe not “elite,” but much better than most. You can’t begrudge Schaub for a pick here and there – to me that says he’s taking some risks, which can often come with great rewards. As a Colts fan, I can assure you Schaub is miles better than Rosenfels.
Add in Owen Daniels, and the Texans probably would have won.
how in the hell do you become elite then? Schaub leads the league in passing yds and passing TD’s…and by leading I mean, first place statistically. And last I checked, that includes Manning and Brees. With that said, how does one become elite? Save your breath becuase I know what’s next. “He’s always hurt”….both hits he took that knocked him out of games were fined by the league…they were both really cheap shots. A healthy Schaub has proven he can beat the best QB’s in the league, as he is doing as we speak. Wanna know the Texans problems? Three times this year they fumbled one the 1-yd line. Two times they couldn’t convert on 1st and goal. Thats 5 TD’s in 3 different games they could have had.
“Before Sunday’s games, an argument could be made that the best team in Texas plays in Houston, not Dallas.”
Now replace “Texas” with “the NFC East”, “Houston” with “Arlington” and “Dallas”, with “Philthydelphia”.