HOUSTON –First Quarter Recap
The Colts won the toss but deferred to the second half.
Houston's first offensive possession saw Vontae Davis shadow DeAndre Hopkins. It was Robert Mathis' first sack of the season that forced an early punt from the Texans.
The Colts got some nice field position but a second-and-one quickly turned into a third-and-10 after a four-yard loss and a false start. The Colts would go three-and-out on their first series.
With Davis continuing to blanket Hopkins, and some strong run defense, the Colts dialed up a three-and-out.
Starting at midfield, the Colts took advantage of some good field position. Strong running from Frank Gore pushed the Colts into the red zone. A 41-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri gave the Colts a 3-0 lead at the 5:56 mark of the first quarter. That was Vinny's 39th make in a row.
Houston would go three-and-out on their next possession, continuing a very strong start for the Indy defense.
The first quarter came to a close with the Colts driving deep into Houston territory.
At the end of the first quarter, the Colts led the Texans 3-0.Second Quarter Recap
The Colts capped the drive by Andrew Luck delivering a beautiful ball to Jack Doyle for a 22-yard touchdown. The Colts lead was 10-0 with 14:55 left in the first half.
More impressive play from the Colts defense carried into the second quarter.
After another defense stop, the visiting offense went on a 10-play drive with Adam Vinatieri connecting from 37 yards out. T.Y. Hilton's playmaking and Frank Gore's churning led the Colts into the three points. The lead was now 13-0 with 6:55 left until half.
Houston's lack of offensive production finally eased. The Texans drove 66 yards in 11 plays with Nick Novak making a 27-yard field goal for Houston's first points of the night.
The Colts squandered a good opportunity to stretch their lead to three scores at halftime. Luck was intercepted in Houston territory with less than a minute remaining in the half.
Houston could not do anything with the late half turnover.
At halftime, the Colts led the Texans 13-3.Third Quarter Recap
The Colts began the third quarter with a three-and-out. A holding penalty on Denzelle Good took away a first down and led to a Pat McAfee punt.
Houston's late first half momentum was still there to start the third quarter. The Texans went 82 yards in 10 plays with running back Lamar Miller punching it in from one yard out. The Colts' lead was down to 13-10 with 7:06 left in the third quarter.
It looked like the Colts were going to put together a massive scoring drive. However, on a fourth-and-one inside the red zone, an Andrew Luck pass fell incomplete.
The defense was there to bail out the offense though. Two plays after the failed conversion, Vontae Davis made a tremendous play on the ball for an interception. The turnover gave the offense the ball back at the Houston 20-yard line.
At the end of the third quarter, the Colts led the Texans 13-9.Fourth Quarter Recap
The Colts made sure to cash in on the Davis' interception. A 14-yard scramble from Andrew Luck pushed the Indy lead back up to 20-9.
Indy's defense, in the midst of its best performance this season, forced yet another punt.
With Dwayne Allen out, the Colts relied on Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox. Luck found Swoope down the sideline for a 35-yard gain. That play led to a 36-yard field goal from Adam Vinateiri. Vinny's kick from 36 yards out pushed the consecutive made streak up to 41 in a row for the Hall of Fame kicker. The lead was now 23-9 with 7:04 remaining.
Needing two touchdowns quick, the Texans got one, but it took a chunk of time off the clock. A 4.30 drive for the Texans ended with Lamar Miller breaking several tackles on a 10-yard touchdown catch. The Indy lead was down to 23-16 with 2:37 left.
Houston's defense got the stop they had to have with a little less than two minutes remaining.
The fourth-quarter drama was back again. Brock Osweiler found tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz for a 26-yard touchdown to tie the score at 23 with 49 seconds to go.
Any final-minute heroics for the Colts stopped at the Houston 48-yard line. A punt from Pat McAfee brought free football to those in NRG Stadium.
The 23-23 tie sent the game into overtime.Overtime Recap
The Colts won the toss and took the ball to start overtime.
A delayed blitz from Houston got to Andrew Luck for a third-down sack, forcing the Colts to punt on the first possession of overtime.
That missed opportunity would prove costly for the Colts. A 36-yard completion to Jaelen Strong gave Houston the chance for a game-winning field goal. Nick Novak's make from 33 yards out gave the Texans a 26-23 victory.
Next week the Colts (2-4) will stay on the road to take on the Tennessee Titans (3-3).
Colts In-Game Injuries
TE-Dwayne Allen (ankle, OUT)
OLB-Curt Maggitt (ankle, DOUBTFUL)
WR-Quan Bray (ankle, DOUBTFUL)
WR-Jacoby Brissett (hamstring, DOUBTFUL)
Colts Inactives
OT-Le'Raven Clark
C/G-Jonotthan Harrison (appendectomy)
DT-Zach Kerr (ankle)
DT-T.Y. McGill
WR-Donte Moncrief (shoulder)
CB-Patrick Robinson (knee, groin)
WR-Devin Street
Colts Pre-Game Notes
- The Colts will play a road, primetime game in Houston for the fourth straight year.
- The winner of tonight's matchup will have the lead in the AFC South after six weeks.
- After Sunday, the Colts will have three more games before their bye week (at Tennessee, Kansas City, at Green Bay).
Weather Update
-It was a steamy weekend in Houston. The Colts will be indoors tonight at NRG Stadium, the site of Super Bowl LI this season.
The Colts have teamed up with Uber and ICJI to help fans ride responsibly on game day! Download the Uber app and enter code COLTS2016 for a free first ride up to $15. Make the right call - get home safe with Uber!
