Official Texans vs. Colts Game Thread, 9/12/2010

[Keith]

The 2010 season is finally here, for realz. Which team shows up today?

[TheMatrix31]

I'm so nervous and hyped. Couldn't sleep right now even if I tried, it's 2:38am here.

[Bigtinylittle]

Well, it should be fun, but it's just one game of a long season. My prediction is that win or lose, the fans will overreact. It happens every year.

What I'm looking for from the Texans today is a running game that looks better than last year's, and a pass rush that is better than last year's. If we get that, I won't be too disappointed even if we lose.

[Big Texas]

Well, it should be fun, but it's just one game of a long season. My prediction is that win or lose, the fans will overreact. It happens every year.

What I'm looking for from the Texans today is a running game that looks better than last year's, and a pass rush that is better than last year's. If we get that, I won't be too disappointed even if we lose.

I don't know about the pass rush, but I think we may legitimately have a two headed monster with Foster and Slaton. As long as Kubiak is creative with his playcalling.

[Arky]

It truly is just one of 16 but man:

a. A chance to beat the Colts

b. division game - golden opportunity to improve on last year's poor record

c. a chance to start the season with bang (or a thud)

I'll use the old standby here: win the turnover battle, win the game.

[TheMatrix31]

Just please don't let it come down to a field goal, heh.

[Roy P]

I would like to see Barwin and Okoye in the backfield today in order to feel good about the defensive line. TFL, or Sacks, or Hits on the QB would be nice considering what we have spent in terms of assets on the D-Line. Otherwise, we will NEED to use another 1st round draft pick or high FA signing on the DL again.

[Arky]

Here we go..........

Colts win the kickoff and elect to receive.

Colts bring the kickoff back to their own 20.

[Arky]

Manning dumps to Addai for 1. Pressure from Mario...

Mannings pass good to Clark for 8. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Pass to Clark bounces off his hands. Colts have to punt.

Excellent run back on the punt by JJ! 39 yards on the return. Ball at the Colts 31.

[Big Texas]

Thats how you start the game off

[Arky]

Schaub's pass to KW good for 7.

Schaub's pass misses Leach. Brings up 3rd and 3.

Pass to JJ good for the 1st down. Ball at the Colts 18.

Foster runs for about 6.

Foster runs for about 4. Gets the 1st down. 1st and goal at the 8.

Foster runs for 2. 2nd and goal at the 6.

Dump to OD fall inc. Brings up 3rd and goal at the 6.

Timeout Texans.

[TheMatrix31]

Love that 3-and-out baby....let's get seven out of this.

[Big Texas]

Come on red zone O

[Arky]

Pass to JJ in the endzone goes inc.

Texans to go for the FG.

Butler offsides, kick again.

Rackers 30 yarder is good.

Texans 3, Colts 0

9:32 left in the 1st quarter.

[TheMatrix31]

I hate settling for three after stopping them on three-and-out.

[Big Texas]

Jacoby should've had that one...

I'll take a 3 from Rackers...Even though he had to do it twice...

Imagine his nervousness...

[Arky]

Colts bring the kickoff back to about their own 19.

Addai runs for about 5. Brings up 2nd and 5.

Pass to Collie gets about 6 and the 1st down.

Mario TFL on Addai for -1.

Slant to Wayne good for about 11 and the 1st down.

Dump to Collie picks up about 5.

Pass to Garcon goes inc. Brings up 3rd and 5.

Mannings 3rd down pass is off Wayne's fingers inc. Colts have to punt. Good pressure D!

JJ fair catches the punt at the Texan 16.

[TheMatrix31]

Lovin' the D so far.

[Arky]

Schaub's very deep pass to KW goes inc. but PI on the Colts! Ball moves to the Colts 31.

Schaub sacked by Freeney -8. Brings up 2nd and 18.

Dump to Foster gets the 8 yards back. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Pass to JJ sails inc. Rackers on for the long FG.

49 yarder is good!

Texans 6, Colts 0

Looks like we gotta FG 'em to death...

[Arky]

Colts bring the kickoff back to their 28.

Addai for 1.

Mannings pass sails out of bounds. Brings up 3rd and 9.

Pass to Wayne complete for the 1st down at the Colt 49. Roughness on GQ on the tackle (helmet to helmet). Puts the ball at the Texan 35.

Addai runs for 3. Looks like Barwin injured on the play.

Officials timeout.

[TheMatrix31]

Damn Barwin, we need you man.

[Big Texas]

Barwin looks done...

Damn

[Arky]

Ouch. Barwin's knee got torqued.

2nd and 8.

A Smith offsides. Brings up 2nd and 3.

Addai runs for the 1st but flag on the play. Holding on Colts. Brings up 2nd and 13. Ball at the Texan 38.

Manning smoked by Mario. Manning's pass sails inc.

Mannings pass is caught out of bounds by Gonzales at the 10. Colts to challenge Gonzales was in bounds.

He was out... Colts will lose the challenge and have to punt.

[Arky]

Colts punt goes into the endzone so Texans ball at their own 20.

Foster for 5.

Foster for 4. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster gets 4 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 33.

End of 1st quarter.

[Arky]

Foster for maybe 1. Brings up 2nd and 9.

Dump to JJ goes for big gain. Ball at the Colts 43.

Pass to AJ good for 21. Ball at the Colts 22.

Schaub hit KW over the middle for the TD!

Texans 13, Colts 0

Keep it up, fellas, 4 quarters......

[barrett]

Does anyone else get more nervous the bigger the lead gets?

I hope our players and coaches aren't as emotionally scarred as I am.

[Arky]

Does anyone else get more nervous the bigger the lead gets?

I hope our players and coaches aren't as emotionally scarred as I am.

We'll see if they've learned anything... :)

[TheMatrix31]

Does anyone else get more nervous the bigger the lead gets?

I hope our players and coaches aren't as emotionally scarred as I am.

*raises hand*

[Arky]

Colts bring the kickoff back to their 24.

Pass to Garcon good for about 8.

Addai runs for 4 and the 1st down.

Pass to Collie gets 10 and another 1st down. Ball at the Colts 47.

Addai runs for about 4.

Pass to Clark gets about 4. Brings up 3rd and 2.

Pass to Garcon juggled inc. Colts to punt.

JJ fair catches at the Texan 14.

[TheMatrix31]

Great block to spring Foster for a bit.

Keep the foot on the gas, dudes.

[Arky]

Foster sweeps left for about 7.

Foster gets about 10 and the 1st down.

Oh crap. Bullock INT's Schaub's pass and returns it to about the Texan 35.

[Big Texas]

Come on Shaub. Can still count on Shaub to make that one dumb play...

[Arky]

Dump to Addai gets about 4.

Dump to Clark gets the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 22.

Quick hitter to Wayne gets 5.

Mannings pass goes out of the endzone - no one home. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Addai complete for the 1st down at the Texan 10.

False start Colts. 1st and goal at the 15.

Manning's pass to Garcon in the endzone off his fingertips inc. Brings up 2nd and 15.

Manning hits Wayne in the endzone for the TD.

Texans 13, Colts 7

[Arky]

JJ brings the kickoff back to the Texan 25.

Schaub's pass off JJ's hands inc. Brings up 2nd and 10.

Foster TFL'ed for -2. Brings up 3rd and 12.

Schaub sacked by Mathis -2. Texans have to punt.

Colts return the punt to their 35.

[Arky]

3:50 left in the half.

Pass to Gonzales good for 12.

Draw to Addai gets 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Manning sacked by Mario and Smith! Brings up 3rd and 15.

Offsides defense. Brings up 3rd and 10.

2 minute warning.

[TheMatrix31]

Time for a two minute drill.

[TheMatrix31]

Of course.

[Big Texas]

Is it me or KJax getting targeted and misused....

[Arky]

Dump to Addai comes up 2 yards short of the 1st down. A Smith shaken up on the play. 4th and 2. Colts to go for it.

Pass to Collie gets 3 and the 1st down.

Official review to make sure the receiver got the 1st down. Play stands. 1:24 left in the half.

Slant to Garcon good for 11. Ball at the Texan 32.

Pass to Garcon big gain. Ball at the 6.

Addai sweeps for 1.

On 2nd and goal, dump to Addai gets 2. Ball at the Texan 3. 3rd and goal.

Pass to Garcon in the endzone inc. 4th down. 18 seconds left. Colts to go for the FG.

FG is good.

Texans 13, Colts 10

[TheMatrix31]

Is it me or KJax getting targeted and misused....

Used and abused. But he played it nicely on that third.

[Arky]

15 seconds left in the half.

JJ returns the kickoff back to the Texan 23. 9 seconds left in the half.

Schaub kneels it.

Halftime.

Texans 13, Colts 10

Good half except for the INT (understatement alert).

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 6/12, 86 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Foster 10/40

Receiving: KW 2/29, JJ 2/29, AJ 1/21, Foster 1/7

Tackles: Diles 7, Ryans 6, Pollard/McCain 4 each, Mario/Okoye/KJ 3 each

1st downs: Colts 13, Texans 8

3rd down conversions: Colts 2/8, Texans 2/5

Time of possession: Colts 17:55, Texans 12:05

Turnovers: Colts 0, Texans 1

[Arky]

Slaton brings the kickoff back to the Texan 35.

Foster slides for about 8.

Foster runs for about 5. 1st down at the Texan 48.

Slaton runs for 6.

Slaton for about 3. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster sweeps left for nice gain. 1st down. Ball at the Colts 29.

Foster for 6 up the gut.

Slaton off left tackle for about 2. Brings up 3rd and 2.

Foster for no gain. 4th and 1. Texans to go for it.

Foster gets 2 and the 1st down.

Foster for 4. Ball at the Colts 18.

Schaub's pass goes inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to AJ near the 1st down.

[Arky]

1st and goal Texans at the 9.

Foster for 8. Ball at the 1.

Timeout Texans.

Man, just run it in....

[Arky]

Foster runs it to about the 6" line. 3rd and goal.

Foster for the TD.

Texans 20, Colts 10

[TheMatrix31]

Are these the Texans we're watching?

[barrett]

The refs missed 3 different obvious defensive penalties on that drive and we still managed to score it.

It was like vintage Ron Dayne from our one win over the colts.

[Arky]

Are these the Texans we're watching?

Eheh, we just might have a running game.... nice drive...

[Arky]

Colts muff the kickoff and bring it back to their own 20.

Pass to Collie good for 9.

Addai sweeps right for about 5. 1st down.

Pass to Clark gets about 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Clark good for about 10. Ball at midfield.

Addai rushes for about 18 - bad tackling....

Mannings pass is batted down. Brings up 2nd and 10.

Pass to Collie good to the Texan 28. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Manning audibles a little too much and has to call a timeout...

[Arky]

PI on McCain - auto 1st down at the Texan 22.

1st down pass to Wayne off the mark.

Mannings pass sails over Clark inc. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Delay of game on Colts -5. Brings up 3rd and 15.

Manning sacked by Mario and Nading! 4th and 22. Colts to punt.

Ball is downed at the Texan 1. Penalty flag down.

A break! Penalty goes against the Colts - illegal touching. Texans ball at their 20.

[TheMatrix31]

Two delay of games...wow.

[Arky]

2:21 left in the 3rd quarter.

Foster for 11. 1st down.

Foster for 6.

Flag on the play. False start D Brown -5. 2nd and 9.

Pass to OD goes for 9. 1st down.

Slaton for about 5.

End of 3rd quarter.

[Arky]

Pass to AJ gets just enough for the 1st down. Ball at the Colts 48.

Foster gets 2 tough yards.

Foster gets about 4 off left tackle. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Oh man. Ball a little under thown to AJ - inc. Texans to punt.

Colts fair catch at the 9. Penalty on the play. Holding on Texans - Colts get an extra 10 yards.

[Arky]

Manning to Wayne for about 18.

Pass to Clark good for 7.

Pass to Clark good for about 9 and a 1st down.

Pass to Clark good for 5. Ball at the Texan 41.

Pass is broken up by KJ. Makes it 3rd and 5.

Mannings pass to Collie complete to the 10 but Collie fumbles! GQ on the recovery! Texans ball.

[Arky]

10:38 left in the game.

Foster big big gain! 41 yards! Ball at midfield.

Slaton gouges for 13 more.

Foster for 10. 1st down.

Foster take it all the way! Touchdown! 25 yards.

Texans 27, Colts 10

[Arky]

8:41 left in the game.

Colts bring the kickoff back to about the 25.

Dump to Addai gets about 7.

Dump to Collie gets 6 and the 1st down.

Dump to Collie gets 5.

Dump to Clark gets 7 and a 1st down. Ball at the Texans 49.

Pass to Collie gets 6.

Pass to Wayne get another 1st down. Ball at the Texan 36.

Manning hit as he throws. GQ nearly INT's. Ball is inc.

Pass to D Brown is dropped. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Wayne complete at the 17. 1st down.

1st down pass goes inc. Good pressure from Mario.

Pass to Collie good for 7. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Dump over the middle to Clark gets the TD.

Texans 27, Colts 17

4:52 left in the game.

[TheMatrix31]

This game ain't anywhere NEAR over.

[Arky]

Ball protection, please....

Colts try the onsides kick but Texans had called a timeout.

KW takes one for the team and gets the onsides kick.

Foster for 9.

Foster gets 2 and the 1st down.

Slaton for no gain. Timeout Colts. 3:29 left in the game.

[Arky]

Foster for 6. Brings up 3rd and 4. Colts call their last timeout. 3:22 left in the game.

Foster get about 8 and the 1st down. Ball at the Colts 16.

Foster for 8. Ball at the Colts 8 yard line.

2 minute warning.

:)

[Arky]

Foster dances in for the score!

Texans 34, Colts 17

1:56 left in the game.

[Arky]

Oh no. Colts run the kickoff back for a TD but many penalties. Offsetting penalties give the Colts the ball at their 23.

Pass to Clark good for 4.

Pass to Collie goes all the way.... 73 yards.

Texans 34, Colts 24

Eheh, they're not dead yet...

1:15 left in the game.

[Arky]

Texans recover the onsides kick.

Texans kneeling it out.

Final score:

Texans 34, Colts 24

Cool, 1-0 and 1-0 in the division...

[HPF Bob]

Great win by the Texans. Great game by Foster. Looks like that suicide contest jinx thing still works.

[TheMatrix31]

What a game. What a freakin' game.

[barrett]

That 2nd half was as bad a physical whipping as I've seen on an NFL field.

On that final Texans TD drive, the Colts desperately needed a stop, the Texans were obviously running, and the OL was still blowing the colts like 5 yards off the ball on every play. I honestly could have scored on that last TD that Foster jogged in.

Huge win.

[HPF Bob]

The Colts have always been undersized on the d-line. I wouldn't pronounce our running game healed just yet.

Too bad about Barwin. I suppose we give Aaron Schobel another phone call tomorrow.

[Big Texas]

Foster was simply put "a beast" out there.

Mario is definitely putting himself in the conversation with the best ends in the game... He just has a plethora of moves...

[nunusguy]

Oh ye of little faith. Wait a minute, that's people like me because I had no confidance in the Texans ability to win this game, just hope.
I dunno, is the rushing game really that good ? Foster was outstanding, but not without a tremedous performance by the OLine and FB Leach knocking the crap out of Colt defenders. DLine also played very well led by a strong game by Mario.
Only downer is Barwin. That was nasty, probably season-ending but haven't heard anything yet from the Texans ? I'm kinda surprised Nading and not Jamison replaced him ?
And any rate, great game Texans ! Congrats !

[barrett]

The Colts have always been undersized on the d-line. I wouldn't pronounce our running game healed just yet.

Too bad about Barwin. I suppose we give Aaron Schobel another phone call tomorrow.

Thanks for seeing the rain cloud in a silver lining.

[Big Texas]

This was definitely a gratifying win.

I just hope we don't start walking around with our head up our asses and come out next week and get our ass kicked.

Most importantly I hope Kubiak doesn't get the "I told you so syndrome" concerning the run. He will start running it 85 times in a row...

Lets do what good teams do. Accept the win and start gameplanning the for next match-up.

[HPF Bob]

Give Kubiak credit for knowing that the way to beat the Colts is long sustained clock-chewing drives that keep Manning planted firmly on the bench. I worried that, after that pick, we'd implode. Had we lost the lead just before halftime, we might have done just that.

[painekiller]

Give Kubiak credit for knowing that the way to beat the Colts is long sustained clock-chewing drives that keep Manning planted firmly on the bench. I worried that, after that pick, we'd implode. Had we lost the lead just before halftime, we might have done just that.

I was there with you on that. That drive to open the 2nd half was a much needed tonic for both the offense and the defense needed the rest.

Also give credit to the Dline, they had Peyton on the ground as much as I have ever seen. All of the starting dline had great games.

Frank Bush had a masterful game plan and they seemed to have the OL confused on more than one occasion. Nice job by the defense.

[Blitzwood]

Best game of the SEASON!!! ;)
Seriously, best game I've seen in a long time, I love how our defense came out and punched them in the mouth, but was really sad to see Barwin go down, maybe that will motivate Schobel, who knows??

And to think all this team needed to win in our division was a competent running game.

Brown and Green ruined this team for too long.

Just pray that Foster stays healthy.

[barrett]

Okoye showed more today than he has in the first 3 years combined. Great push against the pass. Chasing down plays in pursuit. First Texans DL ever to consistently get great jumps on the snap count.

Maybe there was something to the whole "he's still younger than Suh" logic of the offseason. Either way I just hope he can keep playing like that.

[NBT]

A good win, and a revamped Oline that looked better than I have ever seen them. Kudos. Foster was great and saved the day for sure. We went with what was working, and the Texans showed patience they haven't showed before. Now on to Washington and the first of the NFL east teams.

[edo783]

O-line looked real good. However, we will have to wait to see how they do against the heavier D-lines. If they can get them moved, we will have a solid season. The back end of the defense is VERY troubling though.

[Warren]

O-line looked real good. However, we will have to wait to see how they do against the heavier D-lines.They'll get their chance next week -- the Redskins DL is looking pretty beefy.

[popanot]

The back end of the defense is VERY troubling though.Other than the TD to Collie at the end I thought they played a good game. The Colts are arguably the best passing team in NFL and always have someone in an open seam. I thought our young DBs did an excellent job of keeping plays in front of them and tackling after the catch. There was always a guy there to wrap the receiver up. I really don't think we could ask for more considering the opponent and the youth we have back there.

[Nconroe]

We also made some pretty big plays with our DB's such as forcing the fumble.

Holding Indy to 3 of 12 on third downs.

Most importantly holding them to 24 points.

First half they did real well.

Second half, Peyton is the best along with his receiving core, and we still held em.

I thought our DL and OL really showed up big all game long.

Fantastic win over our division nemesis, couldn't be happier today.

[WMH]

Holding Indy to 3 of 12 on third downs.


Other than Foster's stats, I think this is the biggest one of the day. That is freaking HUGE against Mr. Forehead. He is going to get his yards, noone will be able to deny him that, but if you get his a$$ off the field on 3rd done, your chances of winning go up astronomically.

GREAT win by the good guys. I still can't freaking talk from yesterday.......:D

[barrett]

I have definitely been critical of our secondary, but they played great yesterday.

The Passing yards are meaningless. The late TD doesn't even matter. The bottom line is that the Colts scored 24 points yesterday and it took 57 throws to do it. We avoided big plays, forced them into check downs, got off the field on 3rd down, and stiffened up noticeably on our side of the field.

The biggest two players on Defense were undoubtedly Mario and Okoye, but Eugene Wilson also played great, and all of the DBs tackled extremely well. And that was what ultimately allowed us to force them into the short stuff and punish manning for dropping back 60 times.

Great gameplan and even better execution.

[HPF Bob]

Other than the TD to Collie at the end I thought they played a good game. The Colts are arguably the best passing team in NFL and always have someone in an open seam. I thought our young DBs did an excellent job of keeping plays in front of them and tackling after the catch. There was always a guy there to wrap the receiver up. I really don't think we could ask for more considering the opponent and the youth we have back there.

I felt the DBs were coached to contain more than defend and to not get burned deep. Overall, they did very well at this. I don't know if that tactic changes as we face less-prolific passing teams but it was a good strategy with someone like Manning. The idea was to pressure Manning up front and then ask the secondary to concentrate on tackling the receiver rather than defending the pass so that you keep the gains to a minimum.

[painekiller]

According John McClain,they played more press and man to man in the first half, once they got the first 3rd quarter TD, they went into more zone to keep the play in front of them.

They tackled well and they made Peyton work for little gains. It was an excellent game plan.

[cadams]

it really was. the stadium was crazy yesterday. can't imagine what it will be like when the cowboys are here in 2 weeks.

[NBT]

I am extremely happy with the win, but giving up 403 passing yards, even to Peyton Manning, does not mean the guys back there had a great day. That we won was great but we must improve in the secondary.

[popanot]

Wow, tough crowd here... Guess we should be getting on AJ for the lousy game he had. He definitely needs to improve on that subpar performance.

[painekiller]

I am extremely happy with the win, but giving up 403 passing yards, even to Peyton Manning, does not mean the guys back there had a great day. That we won was great but we must improve in the secondary.

OMG, They held the Colts to 4 of 12 on 3rd down. That is huge. We gave up 44 yds rushing. The Colts only scored 24 points, and 7 of those were during garbage time.

IMO the secondary gave up one bad play and it was the 73 yd pass with time running out on the Colts. That play gave the Colts a light, but a dim light.

The Colts only ran the ball 10 times, that is total domination. If you force Peyton to throw 57 times again, I bet you have won again.

Our secondary did what they needed to do in order for us to win.

[TheMatrix31]

OMG, They held the Colts to 4 of 12 on 3rd down. That is huge.




That is the key. The last few games we were picked APART by Peyton on third. All those throws to Dallas Clark.

Shut down the third down, and we win.

[barrett]

I am extremely happy with the win, but giving up 403 passing yards, even to Peyton Manning, does not mean the guys back there had a great day. That we won was great but we must improve in the secondary.

Very simplistic view here. Manning dropped back 60 times to accomplish that. We forced him to throw short all game and as a result he threw it 60 times and was hit more than I've ever seen him. The running game was removed by design to make him one dimensional and easier to hit.

Yards are meaningless. Points scored are all that matter. And the Colts had 24. That is below average for the Manning Colts. If you make the Peyton Manning Colts play below average, you had a good day. Especially if you played the whole game with a lead he threw all day while playing from behind.

We forced them short in the 2nd half and tackled. That was by design and it was well executed other than the one long pass when the game was already about done.

If you can't see that game as a good defensive performance just because of a meaningless passing yardage total, you are probably playing too much fantasy football.

But above all else, I know Peyton Manning is not happy with his performance despite throwing for 400 yards.

[Fonz the Boss]

it really was. the stadium was crazy yesterday. can't imagine what it will be like when the cowboys are here in 2 weeks.

Half packed with Cowboys fans maybe?... LoL, I know ill be there and I hope those damn Boys fans stay out of our home.

[Roy P]

Slaton brings the kickoff back to the Texan 35.

Foster slides for about 8.

Foster runs for about 5. 1st down at the Texan 48.

Slaton runs for 6.

Slaton for about 3. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Foster sweeps left for nice gain. 1st down. Ball at the Colts 29.

Foster for 6 up the gut.

Slaton off left tackle for about 2. Brings up 3rd and 2.

Foster for no gain. 4th and 1. Texans to go for it.

Foster gets 2 and the 1st down.

Foster for 4. Ball at the Colts 18.

Schaub's pass goes inc. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to AJ near the 1st down.


To me, this was the play of the GAME, when Kubiak went for it on 4th & 1. It established some sort of 'Swagger' for the team. This didn't seem like a desperation play, like an Onside Kick to try to keep the ball out of Manning's hands. This was a "All In" putting all the chips in the middle of the table stand of confidence. Had we not been able to convert that 4th & 1, I'd hate to imagine the mood of the city.

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b5V2b

"4th & 1, I-Formation, 3Q 10:04 IND 20
Foster runs right for 2 yards.
This is where it really starts to build. Gary Kubiak has never been afraid to go for it on 4th down, and he certainly was going for it here. Arian Foster immediately started signaling to go for it, and though it wasn’t on camera, I’m sure the rest of the team was motioning to the sideline in the much the same way.

Chris Myers and the right side of the O-Line immediately went backwards on this play, but did at least enough as to not allow any deep penetration outside of their shoulders. All Foster could do was either pound it inside and hope for a push, or bust it outside and get to the edge. He’s not known for his speed, but he wisely opted for the edge. Owen Daniels saved the day on this play with an effective, yet unspectacular block on Clint Session. Winston released Mathis just quickly enough to avoid a holding penalty, and Andre Johnson blocked Kelvin Hayden just barely long enough that he wasn’t able to get to Foster in time to knock him out of bounds before the first down marker."

[dalemurphy]

I thought I noticed a lot of interesting alignments and movement along the defensive front. So, I went back and charted every play in the first half of the game. Here are the observations I thought were interesting:

In 41 plays:

Texans Defense played Nickel all 41 first half plays (a key to the game)

9 blitzes in 41 plays (always 5 rushing)

0 DB blitzes.

Texans played a 3-3 alignment on 6 plays. They blitzed 4 of 6 times out of that alignment and dropped 8 players into coverage twice. They never rushed 4 men when in the 3-3 defense (Nickel version of 3-4). CONTINUE AT TEXANS BULL BLOG (http://www.texansbullblog.com/film-study-defensive-line-alignment-indy/featured-articles/film-study/)

[Nconroe]

That is interesting we were in the nickel the whole time. Wonder what changed the the fourth quarter?

for play by play of whole game by quarter can look at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2010/09/12/3936_playbyplay.html

From that I noticed defense gave up about 50, 100, 40 and then 250 yds passing by quarter. and 73 of the 250 was a touchdown. and 32 of the 250 was on the fumble we recovered. the two longest pass completions.