Colts vs. Texans: Score, Stats & Highlights

Andre Johnson had two touchdowns in his return to Houston. (Getty)

FINAL SCORE

Indianapolis Colts 10-3-7-7 — 27
Houston Texans 0-10-7-3 — 20

FINAL: Hoyer Throws For 312 But Texans Fall Short

This season: Andrew Luck's 1st 2 games: 493 Yds, 3 TD, 5 Int Matt Hasselbeck's 1st 2 games: 495 Yds, 5 TD, 0 Int pic.twitter.com/Bp4w06kir0

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 9, 2015

Matt Hasselbeck has saved this season. Two starts, two wins. Sick as a dog and he comes through. Amazing performance,

— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) October 9, 2015

The Texans offense looked as good as it has all season, but the defense was the same as the Texans couldn’t get the stop they needed Thursday night. In front of their home crowd Houston made mistake after mistake, committing 13 penalties for 125 yards.

Brian Hoyer, filling in after Ryan Mallett briefly left with an injury, led the Texans for the tying touchdown but threw a terrible interception to end the drive. Hoyer finished with 312 yards, and will raise doubts about who will be the Texans QB moving forward. Arian Foster looked strong, finishing with over 100 total yards had nine receptions. DeAndre Hopkins also had another strong game, finishing with 11 catches and 169 yards.

#Texans have hit rock bottom. They lost to a QB that was on an IV today and didn’t throw a pass all week at practice.

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 9, 2015

#Texans literally just gave it up tonight. Failed in all three phases of the game again. Defense just lost all game.

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 9, 2015

For all the Hard Knocks fanfare, it’s amazing how bad the Texans defense is. Frank Gore rushed for 98 yards and a TD, and the Texans secondary let Andre Johnson have the homecoming of his wildest dreams. Hasselbeck, sickness and all, went 18/29 for 213 yards and two touchdowns. For the second straight week, Hasselbeck didn’t throw an interception.

Indianapolis has now swept their division in three straight weeks, and is back on track at 3-2. The celebration will be brief, as the Colts will head home to take on the Patriots next Sunday night. Injured, confused, and now at 1-4, the Texans will head to Jacksonville.

Hasselbeck Drops Dime to Seal the Game

#Colts get it done. Go back to the guy who has torched Texans so many times in recent years, T.Y. Hilton. What a play. Big win.

— Phillip B Wilson (@pwilson24) October 9, 2015

Texans didn't respect the go to Hilton. Indy jumped on it.

— Nate Dunlevy (@NateDunlevy) October 9, 2015

When they needed a play, Matt Hasselbeck delivered. Bacterial infection and all.

Needing a final first down to end the game, Hasselbeck dropped a perfect pass to T.Y. Hilton down the sidelines, giving the Colts 43 yards and the win.

Hoyer Throws Late INT to End Texans Comeback

That really is one of the worst interceptions you'll ever see an NFL quarterback throw. Just a blind pop fly heave over the middle.

— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) October 9, 2015

Colts finally get pressure and coverage downfield, and Hoyer throws one up for grabs, picked by Adams. Colts trying to hang on.

— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) October 9, 2015

After spending the game trying to win the starting job, Texans QB Brian Hoyer gave the game away when it mattered most.

Hoyer couldn’t find a man deep on the Texans final drive, and was hit as he launched a pass deep for Keith Mumphery. The ball was nowhere close, and easily intercepted by Mike Adams, his second of the game.

The Colts have the ball and the lead, but the Teans still have all three timeouts. The Texans defense needs one final stop or they will be starting the season 1-4.

Andre Johnson Scores Again

Touchdown Colts!! Andre Johnson again. #TNF #INDvsHOU pic.twitter.com/WWA7sVW7cI

— NFL (@NFLIive) October 9, 2015

Man, the #Texans are just killing themselves. 2nd straight week #Colts benefit from multiple flags on one drive. This might go for TD, too.

— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) October 9, 2015

Soul-killing drive for the Texans ending in vengeance for Johnson. Brutal sequence. Now Indy has to finish.

— Nate Dunlevy (@NateDunlevy) October 9, 2015

You can’t say the Colts drove the ball down the field for what could be the game-winning score. The Texans did it for them.

The Texans committed four penalties during a 14-play, 80 yard march by the Colts that ended in another touchdown for Andre Johnson. All four penalites gave the Colts automatic first downs, including one that negated a Texans interception.

The Texans have been flagged 12 times so far, for a total of 110 yards. Penalties have give the Colts six first downs.

Hoyer’s Texans Are Driving

This says waaaay more about Indy than Hoyer.

— Nate Dunlevy (@NateDunlevy) October 9, 2015

Hoyer takes Texans 90 yards in 10 plays. He throws 11-yard TD pass to Strong, who has 2 catches for 2 TDs in this game, first of his career.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 9, 2015

Arian Foster and Brian Hoyer were both in the huddle to start the second half, and it was a new pace from the Texans offense. Hoyer was quick and decisive with his throws, and fed DeAndre Hopkins whenever possible. The drive was finished by Jaelen Strong, on Hoyer’s eighth consecutive completion.

Arian Foster converted multiple third downs on the drive, and showed no signs of any injury.

Colts March For Easy TD to Open Third

Frank Gore is still pretty good #TNF #INDvsHOU pic.twitter.com/vrDmShj5Eb

— NFL (@NFLIive) October 9, 2015

#Colts just shanked #Texans. 20-10 after Gore three-yard rushing TD with 13:02 left in third quarter. NRG's silent again.

— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) October 9, 2015

I can't tell you how bad this Texans defense is. No injury excuses. Just bad playing. Hard to figure out. Letting Hasselbeck abuse them.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 9, 2015

After the Texans went in for halftime with all the momentum, the Colts responded to start the third quarter.

It started with a 50 yard kick return by backup WR Griff Whalen. Hasselbeck completed a 24 yard pass to Andre Johnson, who is having his best game in three years. Gore finished the last 11 yards of the drive on two carries, extending the Colts lead once again.

Andre Johnson. 1st 4 games: 7 catches, 51 yards, 0 TDs. 2-plus quarters tonite: 4 catches, 61 yards, TD

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 9, 2015

HALFTIME: Crazy 30 Minutes in Houston

Arian Foster had a solid start against the Colts but left before halftime with concussion symptoms. (Getty)

It started as a football game.

At halftime, it’s a full-on soap opera in Houston.

Ryan Mallett is watching his job get taken, and Arian Foster is throwing things. Oh yeah, and a 40 year old backup QB on antibiotics has his team up 13-10 at halftime.

After a strong start on the ground, Arian Foster was slowed, then stopped by Colts LB D’Qwell Jackson. His return to the game is questionable after undergoing concussion protocol. For the Colts, Frank Gore has done a solid job carrying the load for the Colts. Gore has 11 carries for 52 yards, and the Colts have moved the ball with every possession. J.J. Watt doesn’t have a sack, but has caused holding penalites that have done just as much damage.

Brian Hoyer will start the second half, and the Colts will start with the football.

Injuries Impact Texans Offense

#Texans doctors busy tonight.

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 9, 2015

Ryan Mallett gets up slowly after being roughed. Brian Hoyer is in the game. #Texans

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) October 9, 2015

On a third down for the Texans, Ryan Mallett threw an incomplete pass, but a personal foul penalty extended the drive. It was roughing the passer on Colts LB Sio Moore, and Mallett was slow to get up. He jogged off the field, and Brian Hoyer came into the game with a fresh set of downs. Hoyer contunied to move the Texans, into Colts territory and looking sharp. Mallett was helpless on the sideline as Hoyer handed off to Arian Foster, who was stuffed by D’Qwell Jackson of the Colts.

Arian Foster being helped off after big hit by DQ Jackson

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 9, 2015

Here’s where things get weird.

Foster wobbled when he got up, and jogged off to the sidelines. While the Texans drive continued, Foster stood on the sidelines with doctors discussing his condition. Unbeknownst to them, Foster ran back into the game, and was stuffed on the next play. He was then ushered back to the sidelines, where doctors examined him and his helmet was taken away. He was informed he needed further testing in the locker room, and was not too happy about it:

When the Texans came out for their next drive, it was Hoyer leading the two-minute drill before halftime. It’ll be interesting to see who starts the second half.

Andre Johnson Got His Revenge Early

Over 1,000 career receptions, this one has to be one of the sweetest. TD, Andre Johnson. #INDvHOU http://t.co/DSvwTENYgU

— #INDvsHOU (@nflnetwork) October 9, 2015

Andre Johnson. 2 games, 0 catches. Tonight, 2 catches, 27 yds, TD

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 9, 2015

After turning the INT into a Vinatieri field goal on their first drive, the Colts took it all the way in on their second. Frank Gore is running hard through big holes, and the Colts have had little problems driving on the Texans defense.

It was surprising to see Andre Johnson catch a pass on the drive, picking up 23 yards on the outside. But Johnson went even further with his second catch, tapping his feet in the back of the end zone for the Colts’ first TD of the night.

#Colts found a way to get Andre Johnson a ball in the end zone, something #Texans struggled to do last two years.

— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) October 9, 2015

Foster-Heavy Opening Drive Stopped by Colts

MIke Adams. Right place. Right time. Pass thru Arian Foster's hands. Monster turnover

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 9, 2015

If you are turning from the Astros playoffs game to watch the Texans, you are just going to see him throwing fastballs too

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) October 9, 2015

On the opening drive, the Texans showed no signs of a 1-3 team. They went to Arian Foster early and often, both as a rusher and receiver. Foster totaled 34 yards on the opening drive, until the Texans were facing a 3rd and 5 down at the Colts 19.

Then their 1-3 came out.

A pass to Foster went through his hands, and the ball was intercepted by Colts safety Mike Adams. All the momentum gone. Colts take over.

Once again Mallett throwing in 6th gear instead of 3rd. #Texans

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 9, 2015

Game Preview

Chuck Pagano has his hands full tonight with QB Andrew Luck unavailable. (Getty)

Johnson will need to step up for the Colts tonight if they want a chance at the Texans.

Normally we’d be talking about Andre, who’s making his big return to Houston after over a decade in a darker shade of blue. Tonight, everyone might be talking about Josh.

Josh Johnson, the Colts third-string quarterback that was signed earlier in the week, may need to come up big tonight against the Texans. Andrew Luck has already been ruled out for tonight’s contest. After going three years starting every game for the Colts, Andrew Luck is missing his second consecutive game. His backup, Matt Hasselbeck, spent Monday night into early Tuesday night in an Indianapolis hospital receiving treatment for a virus.

If you think this means the Texans will be all over the Colts tonight, think again. This is the same Texans defense that allowed 42 points in three quarters to the Falcons last week. Their offense won’t be the same, but not for the reason everyone is talking about. The QB shuffle has already begun this season for Houston, as Brian Hoyer entered the game last week for Ryan Mallett and drove the offense down for two garbage touchdowns. Coach O’Brien has maintained that Mallett is the starter, but tonight he’ll take the field without Nate Washington or Cecil Shorts, who are both battling injuries. The team will depend upon Arian Foster, who is expected to get the majority of the Texans’ carries for the first time this season.