Colts 30, Texans 24: No Moral Victories

The Texans had a chance to beat the Colts up to the last play of the game, despite playing the entire game without their number one receiver, Andre Johnson. The Texans are claiming no moral victory for the close loss, though their fans are probably more upset at the player injuries that happened during the game than the loss itself. The Colts lost all three AFC South road games last year, and have to feeling good to be currently 2-0 on the road in division this year.

To make it more difficult for the Texans to control the clock like they did last times the teams played, the Colts concentrated on stopping the run by playing 8 men in the box. They switched to Cover-2 after they had a couple of score lead. Ahman Green left the game early in the second quarter with a knee strain, and number 3 running back, Samkon Gado was unable to do much with the ball. (Second stringer Ron Dayne was inactive for this game due to a rib injury).

The Colts held the Texans to 40 yards rushing total. You think Bob Sanders had anything to do with that? Typically, in the past, teams' game plans against the Texans have been about stopping Andre Johnson, but with him out, the better bet is to make the Texans have to play mistake free football in the passing game and become one dimensional.

Matt Schaub threw the ball to 10 different targets and had a completion percentage of 81.8%. Two inceptions hurt the team, especially the one where he failed to take advantage of the Jacoby Jones' 74 yard punt return that put the ball at the Colts' 20 yard line. Time of possession was fairly even, but if you end up -2 against the Colts on turnovers, you are likely going to lose.

So where does the Colts victory leave both teams? The Colts have two in division victories on the road, and are generally playing the way they expect to play. They would be happier if their running game was working better the last two weeks, and their special teams played better on Sunday, but ultimately wins are wins as they don't give out style points.

The Texans at 2-1 may be facing difficult "challenges," as Gary Kubiak likes to refer to them, due to injuries. After this game, their number 1 and 2 receivers and starting and backup running backs are injured, among other miscellaneous players.

This is Kubiak's post game update on the injuries:

"I'm going to be pretty vague here. (RB) Ahman (Green) has a knee sprain, or a knee strain. He'll be evaluated and have an MRI this afternoon. (DT) Cedric Killings, when he was on the field, he was moving everything, he was talking to me, he called out to his teammates a couple times. He has a big cut under his right eye. He was in a big collision. That's about all I know right now. He's at Methodist (Hospital). We'll put him through a series of tests tonight. All indications appear to be real positive. We'll see how that comes out. (WR) Andre' Davis dislocated a finger. (WR) Jacoby Jones has an AC separation. He'll be evaluated in the next couple of days. I can tell he'll miss some time. (C) Steve McKinney has a knee sprain. It was thought to be pretty serious initially, but he actually did go back in the game, so that's a positive sign. We've got some guys beat up and I don't have a lot of answers for you. I'm sorry. We should have more for you tomorrow as we work through these guys tonight."

The injury to Killings during a kickoff collision stopped the game for a frighteningly long time as he didn't get up and didn't move much. Apparently, he has feeling in his extremities and has been taken to the hospital for tests. The entire Texans sideline stood near him, and many of the Colts players were praying for him as well. And I suppose a few prayers from us would probably help too.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

9-24-2007 @ 9:09AM

George B Vieto said...

My thoughts and prayers are for Cedric Killings to recover speedily from his injuries. The Texans played the Colts as best as they could with the limits they had. Better luck next time.

9-24-2007 @ 9:57AM

James Martin said...

This team has a heart, and they showed it Sunday. No moral victories indeed, however there is nothing to be ashamed of after the way they played through so much adversity. One of the guttiest performences I have ever witnessed. Hopefully we can rebound from the injury bug that has bitten us. Keep pressing

GO TEXANS!!!

9-24-2007 @ 10:19AM

fatherdkarras said...

the fact of the matter is this the colts r the team to beat they have nothin to prove

9-24-2007 @ 3:42PM

da Bull said...

Steph,

First, let me say that I appreciate your thoughts as they are well thought out and researched to the extent of the data you have available....not just your "knee-jerk" opinion.

Last week I asked you about your thoughts relating to Richard Smith and if he was truly pulling the strings relating to the defense. What I saw in yesterday's game didn't appear to be the same mind set as he had when he was with the Oilers..."CHARGE", take no prisoners, trench warfare, the Army helmet thing.

We all change with age and mellow to a certain degree. That being said, I just don't have a feeling that RS is the one expressing his personality via this defense unless he really has mellowed. I don't feel that anyone is saying “This is a Richard Smith Defense” in the same vein as was said about Buddy Ryan, Dom Capers or Tony Dungy. You have a bit of an “insider” position, so what does your research and contacts have to say about RS’s autonomy regarding play calling/scheming?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Bob

9-24-2007 @ 3:53PM

Stephanie Stradley said...

da Bull-

I have no real insider information about Smith as it relates to play calling. Everything I've seen publicly suggests that the plays are his.

In semi-defense of Smith, I think he is limited in what he can do with the talent he has. You can't make chicken salad outta chicken....beaks. Check out the 2005 roster and see how changed the defensive side of the ball is. Dunta Robinson and a bunch of guys you don't want starting on your team.

The secondary is going to limit your aggression some against the Colts because they are gonna give up some really big plays otherwise. Actually, I was fairly impressed compared to last year how many few big plays the Texans gave up on defense.

That being said, there's nothing I see scheme-wise that makes me believe that Smith is particularly inventive in mixing things up and surprising Manning with what they are doing.

I would like to see some more consistency from the defense--fewer slow starts--and quicker adjustments on field. I like what they have been able to do against the run so far, as it's good not to see teams run wild on them. But seeing teams move down the field with dinks and dunks is like the depth of a thousand cuts.

Ultimately, issues with the secondary can't be really addressed until the offseason, and I have to say I am still not sold on the creativity/consistency of the defensive scheming. Hope I am absolutely wrong about this--I do know there are a number of media types who believe in the stuff that Smith is doing.

Thanks for reading and commenting.
-Steph

9-24-2007 @ 5:15PM

ObsiWan said...

I'm not impressed with the Colts this year. Maybe this was an off day or maybe they relaxed knowing, up front, that A.J. wasn't going to torch their CBs. Think of it this way... Let's flip the script, as the young'uns say.

Let's say, going into the game, it was Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne who wasn't going to play.

Then before the 1st qtr was half done, Joseph Addai went down with a sprained knee - and OBTW, the #2 RB (some guy named K. Keith - I never heard of him) didn't even suit up for the game due to bruised ribs. So they had to go with Luke Lawson (he's #3 on the depth chart) as their RB for 3 qtrs.

Then before the first half was over, his rookie WR phenom (pushed into #2 duty), Anthony Gonzalez, separated his shoulder.

And to top it off, Jeff Saturday went out with a sprained knee.

And oh yeah, to make the transformation complete, this is only Peyton's FIFTH game EVER as the starter. Okay, Schaub's not a rookie, but he's been stuck behind Vick for 3 yrs; how much real QB-ing would he have learned from watching Vick run?

Thinking of it from that perspective, what WOULD Peyton have done.

I think the Texans did a pretty good job to even stay in the game. I'm proud of my boys. Now if we could just get a solid #2 CB and a REAL FS....

9-24-2007 @ 10:00PM

to all u colt haters out there the colts lost some key players on defense they r still the team to beat!!!!!!last year they were last in run defense throughout the playoffs they were invulnerable and took it all thats what great teams r made of so all of u should read up on football a little more! fatherdkarras@aol.com

9-24-2007 @ 8:59PM

HEY STEPH YOU DONT KNOW FOOTBALL AT ALL NEVERTHELESS ANYTHING ABOUT THE COLTS SO SHUT IT

9-24-2007 @ 9:08PM

joseph tomeio said...

to obi your knowledge on football is greatly limited texans will finish in the basement this year with the beverly hillbillies

9-24-2007 @ 9:16PM

PEYTON WILL BREAK MANY MORE RECORDS BEFORE HE RETIRES HE IS THE BEST QB IN FOOTBALL HANDS DOWN

9-24-2007 @ 9:18PM

THE HOUSTON QB SHOULD BE SWABBIN THE DECK IN THE NAVY

9-24-2007 @ 9:20PM

the houston qb should be swabbin the deck in the navy

9-24-2007 @ 10:11PM

fatherdkarras,

Two questions:

1. So what do you really think?

2. What sort of alcoholic beverage have you been imbibing tonight?

For the record, I have a great deal of respect for the Colts organization, and how they created this particular team. They draft and acquire players based on character and ability, and do a great job of getting players that fit their franchise.

There's nothing in this game recap about the Colts that is particularly controversial, even for them who are drinking, I am guessing.

The Colts have long been the class of the division, but I guess tonight at least one member of the fanbase could only spell class if you gave him a "c" and a "l."

9-25-2007 @ 8:05AM

steph i dont drink i have no respect for people who go around thinking they r a sportswriter u know nothing about the colts organization and even less about football your place is in the kitchen go there!

9-25-2007 @ 8:04AM

tdbrought said...

Personally I like how this jerk has two settings: no caps whatsoever or SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS!!!! It's like he's missing a shift key as well as common decency.

Hows this, I didnt capitalize so morons like you can understand better.

jerzjo18 said...

WHY DONT YOU ALL LEAVE THE GOOD FATHER ALONE HE's VOICING HIS OPINION HES A COLT FAN HE HAS THE FACTS ON HIS TEAM EVERYONE LOVES A WINNER AND THAT IS WHAT THE COLTS ARE>

meangel said...

STEPHANIE anyone can recap a game the father is right uyou are no writer of anykind

9-25-2007 @ 8:06AM

coltsfanawalt said...

I want everyone here to know that this idiot is no Colts fan. This is a common happening online lately, where someone poses as a fan of a team they hate to be a jerk and cause others to hate that team as well. It's classless, but what can you do?

There is nothing in this article that would cause offense to a Colts fan. Additionally, I don't know of a single Colts fan like this, especially towards the Texans. You have a great franchise that I predicted in the preseason (it's documented) will make the playoffs.

I've no idea who this poster is, a fan of a division rival or a Pats fan, likely. Anyway, keep up the excellent work here.

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