Official Texans vs. Colts Game Thread, 11/21/2019
 

The 6-4 Texans will host the 6-4 Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football this week. The Texans are coming off a 41-7 beatdown administered by the Baltimore Ravens on the road. The Colts are coming off a 33-13 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Winner will get the lead in the AFC South division.

Hard to say which way this goes so I'm going to refer to a pair of games in the Texan's past this year. Earlier in the year, the Texans had a pitiful showing against the Carolina Panthers at home but rebounded nicely against the Atlanta Falcons the next week. Since the Texans are coming off another similar pitiful outing against the Ravens, I'm going to say they rebound again. Of course, the Falcons are not the Colts but I think the Texans will play with more focus and cover the 4 pt. spread.....

Texans 26, Colts 17

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TV = FOX/NFLN (channel 26 local), 7:20 pm, Thursday, 11/21/2019

Announcers = (probably) Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

The line = Texans by 3½ to 4

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Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = Carolina @ New Orleans, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

FOX (early) = Seattle @ Philadelphia, Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis

FOX (late) = Dallas @ New England, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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Other prime time:

SNF = Green Bay @ San Francisco (NBC)

MNF = Baltimore @ LA Rams (ESPN)

Byes = Arizona, Kansas City, LA Chargers, Minnesota

Quite possibly the most important game for the Texans on their regular season schedule. But we all probably thought that when the schedule first came out.

I'm optimistic. Watson is a primetime player. O'Brien actually seems to be decent at getting his team to rebound. The Ravens are simply a really good football team and losing to them in Baltimore is not like losing at home to the Panthers. Teams coming home from London after a bye also have a terrible (winless?) record this season, and that now includes the Texans.

T.Y. Hilton will probably play, and he seems to live for this game every season. The Colts lost their top RB, but their team really runs the ball well regardless. Their coaching seems better.

But Watson is likely to prove again that he is the difference maker.

I wish I could be positive but the Colts routinely have our asses. We have never beaten Brisket and the loss of Mack, while daunting, probably won't hurt them much. Texans need to find a pass rush, something they lacked last week. The defensive backs we got healthy during the bye week all got re-injured in Baltimore and now we are without Reid too.

My survival card is such a mess, I'm going with the Lions over the Deadskins this week. Yes, the Lions for my final strike.

Gametime!

Texans win the toss and defer, Colts get the ball first.

One first down but then a couple of good defensive plays force the Colts to punt.

Carter fair catches at the Texan 15.

10:45 left in the 1st qtr.

1st qtr ends with the Texans going into Colt territory.

Texans have to settle for a 35-yard Fairbairn FG.

Texans 3, Colts 0

13:42 left in the half.

Colts illegally jump off our center and no call. We can’t buy a call against these guys.

After the Watson throws an INT in Texan territory, the Colts run the ball well with Brissett getting the last 5 yards for the TD.

Colts 7, Texans 3

4:28 left in the half.

Watson finds Dhop wide open in the end zone for a 35-yard TD pass.

Texans 10, Colts 7

1:53 left in the half.

Colts to attempt a 36-yard FG to end the half.....

Vinatieri is good.

Tie game.

Texans 10, Colts 10

Halftime.

Texan offense still looking sluggish...

Cole may have a knee injury.

Texan defense playing their usual hot and cold game.....

Stats are pretty close except for time of possession. Colts with 18:32, Texans with 11:28.

Texans get the ball to start the 2nd half.

Texans open the 2nd half with a decent drive highlighted by a deep ball to Fuller. Get into Colts territory but fail on 4th down, bypassing a 52 yard FG.

About 11 minutes left in the 3rd qtr.

Man, that's some bad tackling. Williams runs it in from 13 for the Colts.

Colts 17, Texans 10

5:36 left in the 3rd qtr.

This is embarrassing ‘run defense’.

Both of these coaches are moron play callers. The difference is, the Colts have better players.

Another deep ball to Fuller sets up a 36-yard FG for Fairbairn.

Doinker goes through good.

Colts 17, Texans 13

2:43 left in the 3rd qtr.

Texans could use a turnover but the Colts are just not making too many mistakes tonight....

Power went out up here about 20 minutes before kickoff. Just came back on a short time ago. Looks like we are playing typical Texans football. C'mon, Watson. Pull this one out.

Watson hits Dhop on a very nice pass for a 30-yard TD.

Texans 20, Colts 17

OK, that's better....

Fuller 6/129

Hopkins 5/82, 2 TDs

Texans face 3rd and 4 at their 47 at the 2 minute mark. Need a 1st down to bleed down the clock...

Colts with 2 timeouts, Texans with 3.

Texans 20, Colts 17