Official Texans @ Colts Game Thread, 12/14/2014

[Arky]

The 7-6 Texans travel to Indianapolis on Sunday to take on the 9-4 Colts. The Texans are coming off a 27-13 road win over the Jags. The Colts are coming off a 25-24 road win over the Browns. The Texans hope to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot but they'll have to get their first win in Indy to do it... The Texans are 8-5 ATS, the Colts are 9-4 ATS. Arky's non-homer spread pick = take the Texans and the points.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday, 12 noon CST

Announcers (http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2014&wk=15) = Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Colts by 6.5 to 7.5

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) = Cincinnati @ Cleveland -- Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch

FOX (late) = San Francisco @ Seattle -- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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Prime time:

TNF = Arizona @ St. Louis (NLFN)

SNF = Dallas @ Philadelphia (NBC)

MNF = New Orleans @ Chicago (ESPN)

[WMH]

Will be interested to see how RAC plays Hilton this go around. He torched us in the 1st half, and manageable in the 2nd. Having KJ back sure helps.

Even with Battle Red Glasses on, I'm hoping for a good game, but struggling to see how we can score enough to keep up with them. I'd guess if we can keep them under 24 we've got a shot, but that's no easy task.

[HPF Bob]

I'm thinking the only way the Texans win is if O'Brien sacrifices a couple of virgins but since Tebow won't be there, that's probably not happening.

The Colts can either get a big lead and win going away or let the Texans build a big lead then watch NeAndrewthal pull it out in the final minute. So, either way, we're doomed.

[Arky]

I don't see the Colts getting off to the fast start like they did in Houston. I see it as surprisingly a defensive battle for most of 3 quarters. There will be plenty of camera action on Watt. There will be plenty of camera action on Luck, too.... Luck may have a series of 3-and-outs or a fumble/INT and then the camera will show him on the sidelines with that WTF look on his Geico caveman face. However, the Colts know how to score points when it counts so I see it as Colts by a FG.... Some are saying the Jags game was their (the Texans) best game of the year. They will need to have a better game than that to win against the Colts.

[nunusguy]

Johnny Fs inaugual start is gonna take a big hit on whatever ratings the Texans have, even in Houston. Of course all Texans fans will also be pulling for him vs Cinci.

[Arky]

Johnny Fs inaugual start is gonna take a big hit on whatever ratings the Texans have, even in Houston. Of course all Texans fans will also be pulling for him vs Cinci.

Man, you betcha.


506 Sports @506sports
· 2h 2 hours ago
The Manziel effect. Almost half of all Fox stations have been switched to Bengals-Browns. New map here: http://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2014&wk=15

[Nconroe]

Luck and the Colts have turned the ball over 19 times this year, so perhaps if we win the turnover battle we will have a chance.

On defense we need to stop WR TY Hilton and the long ball.

On offense, just control the ball. Might be interesting to see difference at WR if Andre Johnson is out with concussion. I hope to see Devier Posey some.

That 0-12 string at Indy needs to stop sometime.

[HPF Bob]

I wonder if Posey on a fly route would give us a cheap 7 points because a) nobody thinks Posey could run that fast and b) nobody thinks Fitz could throw that far. Just get Indy playing up after a few Foster runs and then try it.

[Arky]

And here we go.......

Texans kicking off.....Colts bring the kickoff back to about their 17 yard line. Colt's ball.

[Keith]

3 and out to start the game.

Sweet.

[Arky]

Luck's pass to Allen sails inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Richardson for 2. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Luck's pass to Fleener is broken up, inc. Colts will have to punt.

K Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 32. Texan's ball.

[Nconroe]

from Texans web site


DeVier Posey and John Simon will get their first starts this season at wide receiver and outside linebacker, respectively. Rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz will start for Graham.

HOUSTON
WR Andre Johnson
OLB Whitney Mercilus
TE Garrett Graham
G Xavier Su'a-Filo
QB Thad Lewis
CB Andre Hal
S Josh Aubrey

INDIANAPOLIS
CB Jalil Brown
ILB Henoc Muamba
C A.Q. Shipley
T Andrew McDonald
G Hugh Thornton
G Joe Reitz
DT Montori Hughes

[Arky]

Short pass to D Johnson goes for 6.

Foster goes for about 14.

Foster for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins goes for 17. Colts are challenging that Hopkins only got one foot down and that looks to be correct....

Play is reversed, brings up 3rd and 6. 12:25 left in the 1st qtr.

Fitz holds the ball and scrambles for 2. Texans to punt.

Colts bring the punt back to their 18 yard line. Colt's ball.

[Arky]

Richardson for 3.

Pass to Hilton gets 9 and the 1st down but flag is down.....Holding on KJ is declined.

Pass to Hilton goes for 15.

Richardson for 6. Ball at the Texan 49. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Luck is pressured and throws inc. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Luck's pass is overthrown, inc. Colts will have to punt.

K Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 12. Texan's ball. 9:38 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Pass to Hopkins broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster goes right side for 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Fitz rolls right, keeps and runs for the 1st down at the Texan 26.

Foster for no gain.

Blue for 6. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Foster loses 1. Texans will have to punt.

Cribbs fields the punt at the 15 and is tackled immediately. Colt's ball with 6:38 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Herron for 1.

Luck is pressured and throws inc. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pick 6! Lewis! 27 yards!

Texans 7, Colts 0

5:56 left in the 1st qtr.

[Keith]

Pick six!

Nice reward for the defense doing a good job getting Luck out of sync in the first quarter.

[Arky]

Colts down the ensuing kickoff in the end zone, touchback. Colts will have the ball at their 20.

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Screen to Richardson loses 7. Nice play by Powe.

Luck scrambles for 7. Brings up 3rd and 10.

Deep pass to Moncrief is overthrown a tad, inc. Colts will have to punt.

K Martin fields the punt and is tackled at the Texan 30. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Ball is marked at the Texan 31.

Pass to Griffin is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster caught for loss of 1.

Pass to Hop goes for 7. Texans will have to punt on 4th and 3.

Cribbs brings the punt back to the Colt 21. Colt's ball.

2:47 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Flags presnap. Offsides Colts, -5. Brings up 1st and 15.

Pass to Wayne over the middle gets 10. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Dumpoff to Herron gets 12 and the 1st down.

Pass to Hilton goes to the Texan 41.

Pass to Wayne is broken up but PI on Bouye makes it a 1st down at the Texan 32.

Dumpoff to Herron goes for no gain.

Pass to Hilton over the middle gets 6. Brings up 3rd and 4.

End of the 1st qtr.

----------------------------------------

On 3rd and 4, pass to Nicks over the middle goes for the TD. 26 yards.

Texans 7, Colts 7

14:53 left in the half.

[chuck]

Swearinger blitzes and Crick drops into zone coverage. That seems like a solid plan.

[Keith]

Really strange defensive call on that Nicks TD. Would've worked if Swearinger got a hand on that pass before it left Luck's hand, but that was a really soft shallow zone in the middle of the field.

[Nconroe]

Oh Boy, get to see Savage now. Hope Fitz is ok.

[Big Texas]

Wow....there goes the season

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texans will have the ball at their 20.

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Pass to Hop goes for 16.

Blue for almost 4 yards. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Fitz holds it and scrambles for 2. Fitz shaken up on the play. Injury timeout. Fitz taken off on a cart.....

Savage in at QB.

Pass to Hopkins good for a 1st down at the Colt 49.

Mixup and Savage is tackled for a loss of 5.

Screen to Hopkins is dropped. Brings up 3rd and 15.

Foster caught for loss of 1. Texans will have to punt.

Cribbs fair catches the punt at the Colt 9 yard line. Colt's ball with 11:07 left in the half.

[Big Texas]

Well at least we'll know right away who savage is

[Big Texas]

Savage walked off that field like "Oh shit"...these guys are fast as shit and Newton lets the guy just go right past him

[Arky]

Pass to Fleener goes for 23.

Richardson for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Luck scrambles for 6 and the 1st down at the Colt 42.

Richardson for about 3.

Pass to Allen goes to the Texan 42, 1st down.

Luck's pass is batted down by Watt, inc.

On 2nd and 10, pass to Wayne is stolen by Bouye! Texans ball at their 40!

[Arky]

Oh jeez, handoff to Foster is bobbled/fumbled and recovered by the Colts. Colt's ball at the Texan 37.

[Arky]

Deep pass to Moncrief in the end zone goes inc. Holding on Cushing = 5 yards and an auto 1st down.

Herron goes left side for 11 yards.

Pass to Nicks goes for 18. Ball at the Texan 3, 1st and goal.

Pass to Allen over the middle good for the TD.

Colts 14, Texans 7

6:21 left in the half.

[Arky]

Nice runback by Manning on the ensuing kickoff brings the ball back to the Texan 23.

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Foster for 1.

Pass too high for Hopkins, inc. Brings up 3rd and 9......

Savage is sacked. Loss of 5. Texans will have to punt.

Cribbs brings the punt back to the Colts 42 but flag is down.....holding on the Colts places the ball at the Colt 32. Colt's ball.

[Arky]

Herron for 5. About 4.5 minutes left in the half.

Pass to Wayne good for 5. Flag is down.....holding on Texans is declined. 1st down.

Herron for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Luck's pass too long, inc. Brings up 3rd and 4 with 3:01 left in the half.

Luck is sacked by Watt! Loss of 12! Colts will have to punt.

Punt goes out of bounds at the Texan 12. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Foster for 4.

2 minute warning.

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Foster sweeps left for no gain.

Texans use a timeout on 3rd and 6 with 1:54 left in the half.

Hey, hey, deep pass to Hopkins goes for 36 yards. Ball at the Colt 49.

Foster sweeps left for 4. 1:43 left in the half.

Foster for 5. Brings up 3rd and 1.

Savage pressured, throws inc to Foster in the flat. Texans will punt on 4th and 1.

Fake punt... snap to Blue goes for a loss. Colts will takeover on downs at their 42 with 57 seconds left in the half.

[Arky]

Pass to Fleener goes for 10. Colts use a timeout, have 2 left.

Pass over the middle to Fleener is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 with 44 seconds left in the half.

Pass into the end zone ricochets for a TD but holding on the Colts brings it back. Ball at the Colt 42, 2nd and 20 coming up.

Sack by Watt! Loss of 7! Brings up 3 and 27.

Time runs out.

Halftime.

Colts 14, Texans 7

[Big Texas]

The offense was bad and that was before Fitz went down...at least it's only one possession. Unless we get some Mallet magic out of Savage, we should be hoping not to get blown out...

[Arky]

Halftime stats:

Passing: Fitz 3/6, 30 yards; Savage 2/5, 44 yards

Rushing: Foster 12/33, Fitz 3/16, Blue 3/8

Receiving: Hopkins 4/68, D Johnson 1/6

Tackles: KJ/Mohamed 5 each, Watt 4, Bouye/Swearinger 3 each, JJo/Lewis/Manning 2 each

Total yards: Texans 121, Colts 198

1st downs: Texans 5, Colts 15

3rd down efficiency: Texans 3/9, Colts 1/6

Red zone: Texans 0/0, Colts 1/1

Penalties: Texans 2/14, Colts 3/25

Turnovers: Texans 1, Colts 2

Time of possession: Texans 13:21, Colts 16:39

[Nconroe]

The offense was bad and that was before Fitz went down...at least it's only one possession. Unless we get some Mallet magic out of Savage, we should be hoping not to get blown out...

Yeah, about if defense can get 5 more turnovers and 10 more sacks and it might stay close.

Oline better get ready for lots of pressure.

[Arky]

2nd half kickoff goes out of the end zone, touchback. Texans ball at their 20.

---------------------------------

Foster for 2.

Illegal substitution on the Texans, -5. Makes it 2nd and 13.

Foster improvises for 4 yards. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Pass over the middle to Foster goes for 8. Texans will punt on 4th and 1.

Cribbs fair catches the punt at the Colt 19. Colt's ball.

[Arky]

Richardson for 4.

Pass to Hilton in the flat off the mark, inc. Roughing the passer called on Crick makes for a 1st down a the Colt 39.

Richardson for 1.

Dumpoff to Wayne over the middle gets 7. Brings up 3rd and 2.

Luck's pass is batted down by Crick, inc. Colts will have to punt.

K Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 15 but flag is down....Holding on Texans makes for half the distance to the goal line. Ball is placed at the Texan 7. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Foster for 6.

Foster for 1. Brings up 3rd and 3.

Flags are down... offsides Colts, +5 yards and a 1st down at the Texan 19.

Foster scoots for 5.

Foster gets loose for 18. Ball at the Texan 42.

Blue for 3 or 4.

Pass to Griffin on the sideline gets 3. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Savage bobbles the snap but recovers for a loss of 7. Texans will have to punt.

Flags for umpire not ready. Replay 4th and 10 (re-punt).

Punt rolls to the Colt 22. Colt's ball.

[Big Texas]

Savage

The good:
First down throw
Deep throw to Hopkins

The Bad:
Botched handoff
Miscommunication on hand off
Fumbled snap
Not enough depth on the boot

The only thing left is "the UGLY"

[Arky]

6:20 left in the 3rd qtr.

Luck scrambles for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Hilton in the flat off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Pass to Richardson goes for 16 and the 1st down.

Herron for 6.

Pass to Moncrief off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 4.

Pass to Hilton over the middle broken up, inc. Colts will have to punt.

K Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 11. Texan's ball.

[Keith]

Still just a one score game. Would like to see Savage throw more than 20 yds downfield on first down to stretch some room for Foster underneath.

Would be nice too to involve Posey even a little bit here.

[Big Texas]

We need Arian to break one...

Any receivers not named Andre Johnson or Hopkins needs to be gone this offseason...Is posey even playing?

[Keith]

Oh and just like that a deep pass of 29 yards to Posey.

Thanks for listening.

[Big Texas]

We need Arian to break one...

Any receivers not named Andre Johnson or Hopkins needs to be gone this offseason...Is posey even playing?

Right on Q

[Big Texas]

It's not over yet, but the defense is playing its ass off...now we just need a JJ Watt strip sack or pick 6...it's not too far fetched

[Arky]

Foster caught for a loss but offsides by the Colts makes it 1st and 5.

Foster for almost 4. 2nd and 1 coming up.

Foster for 2 or 3 and the 1st down.

Foster for maybe 1.

Deep pass to Posey good for 29. Nice play, nice throw.

Foster powers for 7 up the middle.

Blue for about 6. Ball at the Colt 34. 20 seconds left in the 3rd qtr.

Foster sweeps right for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

End of the 3rd qtr.

---------------------------------------------

On 2nd and 7, Blue powers for 5. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Savage sneaks for 1. Texans going for it on 4th and 1.....

Foster takes it in for the TD but a flag is down....holding on Posey.... wow that was ticky tacky.... Makes it 4th and 11. Bullock on for the FG.

Bullock's 53-yarder is good.

Colts 14, Texans 10

13:40 left in the game.

[Keith]

Gosh that looked like an early 90s Jazz flop on that Posey hold.

[Arky]

Cribbs brings the ensuing kickoff back out to the Colt 25. Colt's ball.

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Herron bottled up for a loss of 4. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Pass over the middle to Moncrief off the mark, inc. 3rd and 14 coming up.

Deep pass to Wayne broken up by Mohamed, inc. Colts will have to punt.

K Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 28 but flag is down.....illegal block in the back on the Texans places the ball at the Texan 14. Texan's ball.

[Arky]

Pass to Foster inc but flag on the Colts for holding = 5 yards and an auto 1st down at the 19.

Blue for 2.

Flags presnap. False start on Myers.. Makes it 2nd and 13 coming up with 11.5 minutes left in the game.

Savage's deep pass to Hopkins is inc but flag is down.... offsides Colts makes it 2nd and 8 coming up.

Pass to D Johnson goes for 15.

Foster for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Foster for maybe 1. Brings up 3rd and 3. 9:47 left in the game.

Pass to Hopkins goes for 9 and the 1st down. Ball at the Colt 48.

Foster gets 5 the hard way.

Blue for about 1. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Hop off the mark, inc. Texans going for it on 4th and 4....

Pass can't find a home and goes inc. Colts takeover on downs at their 42 with 7:14 left in the game.

[Nconroe]

Unconfirmed broken leg for Fitz.

We need a stop now to keep it close with 3 minutes left.

[Arky]

Luck scrambles for 8.

Herron for 6 and a 1st down.

Herron for 6. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Herron for 7. Ball at the Texan 31.

Herron for 8.

Herron for 7.

Richardson for 9. Ball at the Texans 6, 1st and goal.

Richardson for no gain. Makes it 3rd and 1 coming up.

Luck trys to keep and gets blown up, loss of 5. 4th and 6 coming up. Colts going for the FG....

Vinatieri's 29-yarder is good.

Colts 17, Texans 10

2:11 left in the game.

[Big Texas]

Our defense has held the number one offense to 3 points in the second half...our offense has managed a field goal and a touchdown called back...this drive coming up is going to be really revealing about Savage...those last two passes were not even close...

As long as he does not make the dumb ass throw I'm ok...bit there has been a lot miscommunication.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is downed in the end zone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

-------------------------------------

Savage's deep pass sails out of bounds, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Foster for about 4. Brings up 3rd and 6.

2 minute warning.

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Pass to Griffin good for the 1st down at the Texan 32.

Pass to Foster good for 7, gets out of bounds.

Pass to D Johnson a little off the mark, inc. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Deep pass to Hopkins is broken up, inc. Texans use a timeout. Texans will go for it on 4th and 3.....1:34 left in the game.

Savage's pass is picked off by Davis. Colts takeover at the Texan 40.

Colts kneeling it out.

Final Score:

Colts 17, Texans 10

[Nconroe]

I thought Savage was looking reasonable for a rookie first time in under pressure.

I hope that low tackle didn't hurt his knee. No penalty flag thrown, could have.

Immobile knee I think helped lead to that last interception.

[Big Texas]

I give credit to OBrien. He has taken subpar talent and made them respectable.
Hopefully we can get some playmakers in here next year. I believe had Savage been preparing to start this game and game planning all week, we win this game...but just like Mallet he gets injured in his first game...if he is really hurt, I say we shut Andre down for the year maybe even Arian. There's no way JJ sits.

[HPF Bob]

Wow....there goes the season

Fitz has a broken leg. It's Savage or bust now. 8-8 looked all but assured and the playoffs still an outside chance. Now, 7-9 seems very likely unless we can somehow still be better than the Jaguars.

The 2015 season starts these next two games.

[barrett]

Fitz has a broken leg. It's Savage or bust now. 8-8 looked all but assured and the playoffs still an outside chance. Now, 7-9 seems very likely unless we can somehow still be better than the Jaguars.

The 2015 season starts these next two games.

I think we'd have a decent chance of beating JAX with the kneel down on offense strategy from the waterboy.

[HPF Bob]

Case Keenum returns! The Texans have claimed Keenum off the Rams practice squad and will sign him today to backup or perhaps be tackling dummy for Tom Savage. No doubt moving Fitz to IR will open up the roster spot.

Probably good that they did this before the Cardinals lost another QB.

[Arky]

Keenum and Kubes in town this weekend at the same time? Wow, it's just like 2013 all over again.... :rolleyes:

A few early lines (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) have the Ravens as a 3.5 to 4.5 pt favorite this weekend. No doubt the Texan QB situation is slowing the other books from posting a line...