Official Texans @ Colts Game Thread, 1/8/2023

[Keith]

Texans kick.

FUMBLE!

Texans M.J. St4ewart recovered a fumble dislodged by a Colts player on the return. I mean, which team is tanking today?

Offense back out on the IND 18. Loses yards. Ka'imi Fairbairn makes the 37-yard field goal.

Texans 10, Colts 0
9:40 1st

[Keith]

Ok, got some lunch... catching up.

Colts respond, QB Sam Ehlinger with an 11-play touchdown drive covering 75 yards in 5:44, culminating in a 1-yd completion to an open Michael Pittman. Somebody blew a coverage.

Texans move the ball 30 yards in their next drive, but it stalls near midfield. Cam Johnston punts to the IND 9.

First quarter closes as the Colts move backwards 7 yards when the Christain boys (Harris and Kirksey) split a sack. Colts punt from the back of their endzone, returned to the IND 46 by Desmond King.

Texans drive to the IND 21, but RB Royce Freeman fumbles after a 7-yard carry to the 14. Ehlinger's first pass though is...

INTERCEPTED!

LB Jonathan Greenard picks off the pass and returns it 39 yards for the pick six. Kick is good.

Texans 17, Colts 7
10:30 2nd quarter

[Keith]

Colts begin on their own 22 following the kickoff. 2nd year RB Deon Jackson gets involved, 7-yd carry then a 6-yd carry before Ehlinger finds him for 17 to midfield. On 4th and 3, Ehlinger goes back to Jackson for a short pass to the left sideline that he runs for 27 yards.

INTERCEPTED

The Colts drive is abruptly ended when Kirksey steps in the throwing lane to pick off Ehlinger at the Texans 2, returning it to the 20.

17-7
4:46 left in the half.

Bears down 0-16. Woof.

[Keith]

RB Dare Ogunbowale gets 11 yards up the left side to the 29. Mills connects with Quitoriano for 22 across the 50. Two minute warning. Completion to Chris Moore is reviewed and upheld, 10 yard gain to the IND 38.

Short pass to Ogunbowale is snuffed out easily by the defense, loses 5 yards. Drive stalls, poochy punt goes to IND 7.

Colts have 1:32 left in the half to do something. Jackson takes the first down carry 13 yards, then Ehlinger goes back to him for 5-yard and 4-yard completions. Drive stalls at the 40 when Maliek Collins drops Ehlinger for a sack. Time expires on a 3rd and 3.

Texans 17, Colts 7
Halftime

In a game where Lovie Smith is maybe coaching for his next job, he has Rex Burkhead with 0 carries and 0 receptions (on one target). If he ever gets another job, he should be forced to take Pep and Rex with him.

[Keith]

Colts receive. Parris Campbell goes 26 yards to the IND 43. Zack Moss then runs for 15. This is more like it. Ehlinger then fakes a handoff to Moss and finds Campbell by himself for 39 yards to the 8. Pass to Pittman in the endzone is incomplete. Beat Smith in coverage, Pitre late getting there. Pitre then gets a finger on the ball to deflect the third down opportunity.

24-yard field goal attempt is flagged for encroachment as Deculus jumps. Ball moves from the HOU 6 to the HOU 3. Colts HC Jeff Saturday then calls timeout as he decides to go for it on fourth down. Ehlinger then tries to throw to Jelani Woods at the goalline; ball hits fingertips but goes through them. King with the coverage. Turnover on downs.

Texans 17-7
11:51 3rd quarter

[Keith]

Vikings bench Kirk Cousins in the Bears game up 16-6. Thanks, I guess.

Texans takeover at their 3, couple plays to Ogunbowale get enough for a first down to the 15. Colts have an injured player down, Zaire Franklin. Texans punt.

Colts takeover at midfield. Greenard flagged for a facemask. Ehlinger scrambles to the HOU 22, and holding call on Harris gives them five more into the redzone. Zack Moss gets the handoff, and the Texans can't wrap him up on the 15-yd TD run.

Extra point is good.

Texans 17-14
6:40 3rd quarter

[Keith]

Touchback. Mills to Quitoriano for 52 yards to the IND 21. Mills then looks off Burkhead on 3rd and 8 and instead fires to Akins in the endzone. 19-yard touchdown pass. Extra point is good.

Texans 24-14
3:51 3rd

Bears down 13-23 under 3 to play in 3rd.