HOUSTON — The Indianapolis Colts went on the road to defeat their AFC South Division rivals the Houston Texans, 21-7, in their AFC Wild Card Round matchup at NRG Stadium. Here are the notes and highlights from Saturday's game.
FOURTH QUARTER
— The Texans get on the scoreboard on a six-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Keke Coutee. It looked as if Coutee fumbled the ball as he tried to dive for the pylon, which would've resulted in a touchback and the Colts getting the ball (and, most importantly, no touchdown), but the officials, after review, said the ruling on the field stood. It's 21-7, Colts lead, at the 11:03 mark of the fourth quarter.
— This Colts defense is built to defend within the 30-yard line. On 4th and 10 at the Indianapolis 24, Deshaun Watson's pass falls incomplete. 4:09 left; Colts lead 21-7.
— Marlon Mack is up to 148 yards rushing, and is the first to get across the 100-yard mark against the Texans this season. It's the most rushing yards in playoff history for the Colts.
— FINAL: Colts defeat the Texans, 21-7. Indy travels to take on the AFC's No. 1 seed, the Kansas City Chiefs, next Saturday at 4:35 p.m. Game will be televised by NBC.
THIRD QUARTER
— INJURY UPDATE: safety Malik Hooker (foot) is QUESTIONABLE to return.
— Hooker has returned to the game for the Colts' defense.
— CB Kenny Moore II, who already has an interception today, comes off the edge on the blitz and takes down Deshaun Watson for the sack on third down. Texans punting. Also something worth watching: safety Mike Mitchell goes down in pain, and is surrounded by his teammates, who take a knee on the field. Mitchell is carried off the field. Update as soon as we get one.
— INJURY UPDATE: safety Mike Mitchell (calf) is OUT.
— That's the end of the third quarter. The Colts lead the Texans, 21-0.
SECOND QUARTER
— Touchdown, Colts. It's 21-0 with 6:29 left in the second quarter. Credit goes to the Indy defense, which shuts down Houston after it gets a tipped interception of Andrew Luck at the Texans' 15-yard line and forces yet another punt. Luck takes advantage by going 65 yards in seven plays, finding Dontrelle Inman for a masterful 18-yard touchdown in which the veteran receiver sold an in-route and then bolted towards the end zone.
— At halftime, it's Colts 21, Texans 0. Indy actually leaves potential points out there as its offense can't get out of bounds on the final play of the second quarter around the Houston 30-yard line, but still a great first two quarters of football on both sides of the ball.
FIRST QUARTER
— Colts get the opening kickoff and go 75 yards in nine plays, getting two big third-down conversions to T.Y. Hilton in a drive that ends with a six-yard touchdown from Andrew Luck to Eric Ebron. Hilton was huge on that drive, catching three passes for 63 yards, including a 38-yard reception getting Indy to the Houston 6-yard line. It's 7-0 Colts with 10:35 left in the first quarter.
— The Colts force a three-and-out on the Texans' opening drive, and then make it look easy on their second offensive drive. Luck & Co. find the end zone again with a nine-play drive, this one from 74 yards out, as Marlon Mack runs it in from two yards out for the touchdown. The Texans have the league's best run defense as far as yards-per-carry allowed, but the Colts earn 53 rushing yards on that drive.
— At the end of the first quarter, the Colts lead the Texans, 14-0. Indy has 10 first downs to Houston's 2; 155 total yards to Houston's 39; time of possession is Indy 9:53, Houston 4:44.
PREGAME
The following players are inactive for today's 2018 Wild Card Round matchup against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium:
• C Josh Andrews
• T/G Le'Raven Clark
• WR Ryan Grant
• DT/DE Tyquan Lewis
• LB Ahmad Thomas
• S J.J. Wilcox
• RB Jonathan Williams
Lineup changes
The Colts are expecting the following lineup changes today:
— Al-Quadin Muhammad is expected to start at defensive end for Tyquan Lewis.
