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

[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.

[Keith]

Colts go three-and-out and punt. The Texans take over at their own 19.

INTERCEPTION!

Mills throws the pick six to Rodney McLeod, Jr., returned 27 yards for the score. Extra point is good.

Texans 24-21
0:52 3rd

[Keith]

Mills gets right back on the field and... he throws another pick! Deep attempt for Moore is short and Thomas gets the ball at the IND 31, retuns it 11 yards.

Moss goes 11 yards up the middle. Pitre exits the field with an injury. Ehlinger to Pierce for 18, then back to Pittman for 23 to the Texans 8. Moss powers on the right side for 4. Ehlinger fires to Mo Allie-Cox for a leaping touchdown at the back of the endzone for a 4-yd TD catch.

Extra point is good. Colts finally take a lead.

24-28 Colts
10:30 4th quarter

Bears losing 26-13 with 9 min to play in their game.

[Keith]

Texans go three and out. Pitre left the game earlier for a concussion evaluation.

Punt is fumbled by Colts returner (and former Texan) Keke Coutee but picked up by a teammate.

Ehlinger connects with Alec Pierce for 11 yards to their own 38. Moss gets a couple 4-yd carries as he's up to 110 rushing yards so far. He then take his thrid straight carry 3 yards to the 50 and a first down. Ehlinger rolls left and finds Jackson for 11. Drive stalls, and Colts kick a 54-yard field goal.

24-31 Colts
3:33 left in the game

Bears now down 29-13, 3:39 remaining in that one.