Official Texans @ Colts Game Thread, 12/11/2016

[Arky]

It's week 14 and the 6-6 Texans take to the road for the 2nd week in a row to play the 6-6 Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are coming off a road victory defeating the NY Jets on MNF 41-10. Colt QB Andrew Luck seems to be getting hotter every week - he has passed for 3105 yards, 64% completion, 23 TDs, 8 INTs and has a rating of 98.3. He (54/272, 5.0 avg) and Frank Gore (198/749, 3.8 avg) are the two main ball carriers although Robert Turbin (28/89, 3.2 avg) might see some carries. In the passing game, TY Hilton has already broke 1,000 yards receiving on the year (1,088) and is Luck's #1 target. After him, there is a whole slew of receivers (Moncrief, Doyle, Dorsett, Allen, Gore, Swoope, Rogers, Ferguson, Turbin) that Luck can target. On the other side of the ball, the Colt defense could use some work ranking 28th in yards/gm, 28th in passing yds/gm, 20th in rushing yds/gm and 25th in pts allowed/gm (25.9).

The Texans have a three game losing streak going and will see their playoff chances take a big hit with a loss. With a win, they could defeat the Colts three times in a row and will have swept both meetings on the year - both would be franchise firsts.

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday, Dec 11, 2016

Announcers = Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon (pretty much all of Texas and Indiana will be watching)

The line = Colts by 5.5 to 7

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) - Washington @ Philadelphia, Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch

FOX (late) - New Orleans @ Tampa Bay, Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman

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Prime time:

TNF = Oakland @ Kansas City (NBC; NFLN)

SNF = Dallas @ NY Giants (NBC)

MNF = Baltimore @ New England (ESPN)

[HPF Bob]

If the Texans go 9-7, the Colts or Titans would have to run the table at 10-6 to win the division.

If the Texans go 8-8, the Colts or Titans would have to go 9-7 to win the division.

If the Texans go 7-9, they have no business being in the playoffs but they still might go if the Colts or Titans can do no better.

The next division win gives the Texans the tiebreaker for the division. After that, all they have to do is tie for the division lead to be the #4 seed.

Of course, Jill Stein could sue for a recount.

[Arky]

Good article by Bob on the front page:

Down the Stretch They Come.

[Arky]

Texan's game of the year?

Pendergast breaks it down: NFL Week 14: Texans-Colts — Four Things To Watch For

............ and a quarterback that the entire town quietly wishes would sustain a minor injury that is not so horrific that you feel bad for wishing it, but just debilitating enough to elevate Tom Savage. (Stubbing a toe in the shower, cutting the throwing hand opening a video game, something along those lines... nothing that requires surgery, a cast, a sling, or rehab.) ........

[chuck]

That's another thing that we haven't really discussed at any length this year, maybe because we're inured to it - the special teams are terrible. Statistically their play is as bad as the quarterback has been. To me this is a clear indictment of the team's total incompetence in putting together a roster.

[Arky]

Since rookie receiver Braxton Miller is also inactive, the Texans will have three receivers active in DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Keith Mumphery.


Here are the rest of the Texans inactives:

TEXANS INACTIVES

RB Tyler Ervin
CB Johnathan Joseph
WR Braxton Miller
QB Tom Savage
OLB John Simon
OL Josh Walker
DE Ufomba Kamalu

[Arky]

Colts win the toss and will kick off.

Hunt brings the ball back to the Texan 22. Texan's ball.

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L Miller for 5.

Pass to Mumph gets 9, 1st down.

Deep pass to Hop a tad too long, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

L Miller for no gain. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Fido gets 6. Texans will have to punt.

Colts fair catch the punt at their 12 yard line. Colt's ball.

12:20 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Gore goes left for 11.

Luck's pass is tipped, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Dorsett gets 7. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Luck keeps it and goes right side for big gainer. 33 yards.

Gore for 4.

Pass to Hilton gets 17. KJ wants OB to challenge the catch and he does. Looks like a catch to me...

Play stands as called.

Gore for 2 or 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Luck's pass can't find a home in the end zone, inc. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Moncrief in the end zone off the mark, inc. Colts will go for the FG.

Vinatieri's 32-yarder is good.

Colts 3, Texans 0

8:31 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is brought back by Hunt to the 18 yard line. Texan's ball.

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L Miller for 3.

Oz is sacked. Loss of 5. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Oz uses a timeout (#2).

On 3rd and 12, pass to Griffin gets 11. 4th and 1. Texans will punt.

Colts bring the punt back to their 18. Colt's ball.

6:11 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Titans 7, Broncos 0

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Luck's pass is INT'ed by Demps! Texan's ball at the Colt 13!

[Arky]

Ball marked at the Colt 16.

Blue for 6.

Blue for 4, 1st down at the Colt 6.

Blue goes right side for 3.

On 2nd and goal., pass to Grimes is broken up, inc.

Oz pressured, throws it out of the end zone, inc. Flag down....looks like face mask on Clark... penalty is declined. Texans will go for the FG.

Novak's 21-yarder is good.

Texans 3, Colts 3

Wasted opportunity. 4 minutes left in the 1st qtr.

[chuck]

BOB is a nutless idiot. That was a disgusting offensive series.

[Arky]

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback. Colt's ball at their 25.

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Gore for 1.

Flare pass to Gore goes for 16, 1st down.

Luck pressured, throws inc to the back right in front of him. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Dorsett gets 3. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Short pass to Turbin gets 3. Colts will punt.

Punt is fair caught by Fuller at the Texan 19. Texan's ball.

1 minute left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by chuck

BOB is a nutless idiot. That was a disgusting offensive series.

3 successful runs and then start passing it????

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Arky

3 successful runs and then start passing it????

I would have taken a shot on first down but in the end he was lucky the pass to Grimes wasn't intercepted. BO stared that down.

I guess anyone can be an offensive guru if your quarterback is Tom Brady.

[popanot]

Did I just see them throw a 3rd down pass BEYOND the first down marker?!?!? I'm dreaming, right?

[Arky]

Blue for 6.

Screen to Blue goes for no gain.

End of the 1st qtr.

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On 3rd and 4, pass to Griffin gets 12, 1st down.

Blue for 3.

Blue for 3 more. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Pass to Hop is broken up but draws the PI. Spot foul. 1st down at midfield.

Blue for 5.

Blue for almost 5. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Goodness, Oz's pass is INT'ed. Colts bring the ball back to the Texan 46. Colt's ball.

[popanot]

OMG. 3rd and a 1/2yd, 9'8" QB and rather than QB sneak you have the worst QB in the league throw a pass.

[chuck]

Goddamn it BOB is a mfking idiot.

[Arky]

Pass over the middle to Allen is broken up, inc.

Pass to Allen gets 6 but flag is down for holding on the Colts. Makes it 2nd and 20.

Luck pressured, throws it away, inc. 3rd and 20 coming up.

Pass to Doyle gets 12. Colts will have to punt.

Delay of game on Colts backs it up 5.

Colts bungle the downing and the ball goes into the end zone for a touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

9:45 left in the half.