Official Texans @ Colts Game Thread, 1/8/2023

[Keith]

The Texans (2-13-1) mercifully end their season on Sunday at the Colts (4-11-1). With one more loss or a Week 18 win from the Bears, the team will secure the first overall pick in April's draft. Their opponent this weekend sucks though, and the Bears have already announced their starting quarterback, Justin Fields, will not play due to a hip injury. Sure, Jan.Wouldn't surprise me to hear of a surprise inactive player or two from the Texans in response.

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday, noon CST, 1/8/2023

Announcers = Spero Dedes, Jay Feely

The line = Indianapolis by 2.5

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) = Minnesota @ Chicago, Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

CBS (late) = NY Giants @ Philadelphia, Ian Eagle, Charles Davis

FOX (late) = Dallas @ Washington, Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen

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Prime time:

Saturday 3:30pm = Kansas City @ Las Vegas (ESPN/ABC)

Saturday 7:15pm = Tennessee @ Jacksonville (ESPN/ABC)

SNF = Detroit @ Green Bay (NBC)

[Warren]

This game needs to be dedicated to evaluating the Driskel/Burkhead backfield. If they want to work Mills in as a WR, that's fine, because the tradeoff of taking an actual athlete off the field is well worth it when you can surprise the defense with a look that you've shown for a few weeks now. But it's time to let Jeff cook.

[Keith]

Inactives

WR Phillip Dorsett (hamstring)
CB Steven Nelson (illness)
OL Jimmy Morrissey (concussion)
TE O.J. Howard (hip)
DL Thomas Booker
QB Kyle Allen

Not sure the nature of Nelson's illness, but his absence will be felt the most. He's been out for the illness all week and didn't make the trip. Nelson is under contract for next season, as he signed a 2-year deal for a reported $10 million last April.

[Keith]

Texans receive, touchback.

First play of the game goes 33 yards to Brandin Cooks. So much for the tank. Jordan Akins gets 15 to the IND 23 two plays later. 9 yards to Teagan Quitoriano, who is back from injury. Davis Mills then finds a wide open Cooks in the back of the endzone for the 11-yd touchdown.

Extra point is good. 75 yard opening drive. Can't recall the last time the Texans opened a game like this.

Texans 7, Colts 0
11:17 1st quarter

As if going 2-13-1 isn't a fireable offense, winning today might be.

[Keith]

Texans kick.

FUMBLE!

Texans M.J. St4ewart recovered a fumble dislodged by a Colts player on the return. I mean, which team is tanking today?

Offense back out on the IND 18. Loses yards. Ka'imi Fairbairn makes the 37-yard field goal.

Texans 10, Colts 0
9:40 1st

[Keith]

Ok, got some lunch... catching up.

Colts respond, QB Sam Ehlinger with an 11-play touchdown drive covering 75 yards in 5:44, culminating in a 1-yd completion to an open Michael Pittman. Somebody blew a coverage.

Texans move the ball 30 yards in their next drive, but it stalls near midfield. Cam Johnston punts to the IND 9.

First quarter closes as the Colts move backwards 7 yards when the Christain boys (Harris and Kirksey) split a sack. Colts punt from the back of their endzone, returned to the IND 46 by Desmond King.

Texans drive to the IND 21, but RB Royce Freeman fumbles after a 7-yard carry to the 14. Ehlinger's first pass though is...

INTERCEPTED!

LB Jonathan Greenard picks off the pass and returns it 39 yards for the pick six. Kick is good.

Texans 17, Colts 7
10:30 2nd quarter