Colts 33, Texans 27: Too Much Vintage Peyton Manning in the Second Half

The Colts still have the capability to be an offensive machine. Facing a lackluster Houston Texans' defense in their new digs after a hard fought victory against the ferocious Steelers in Pittsburgh seemed like a good time for the pistons to start firing on all cylinders for the one-mighty offense.

For thirty minutes, we were all left scratching our heads. The Colts managed just three field goals in the first half, and trailed 13-9. The half was peppered with dropped passes and missed opportunities. Apparently the Colts just needed to get warmed up.

In the second half, Peyton Manning and Joseph Addai spearheaded the Colts return to form as an offensive juggernaut. As I mentioned in the title, this was a vintage Colts performance -- one which would make the now defunct RCA Dome proud.

- Manning ended up completing 30 of 46 passes for 320 yards and two scores.

- Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.

- Joseph Addai piled up 153 total yards and found paydirt twice.

- Reggie Wayne caught seven passes for 90 yards.

- Even backup running back Dominic Rhodes compiled 74 total yards, while tight end Dallas Clark caught five passes for 44 yards.

As I said, the offense was a machine. Balanced, efficient, and explosive -- and this was mostly in the second half.

While it's hardly a consolation, the Texans did not play badly. This Colts offense, when it's on, if awfully tough to stop. Just ask the Ravens.

The Houston run game kept them in the game, specifically Steve Slaton and his 156 yards -- a Texans rookie record. For Slaton, 71 of those yards came on one run, as he took it to the house from the Texans' 29 yard line to put the Texans back on top early in the second half.

Sage Rosenfels was an efficient 13 of 18 on his passes, though the desperation game-winning drive was thwarted by a Colts interception of the Rosenchoppa. The Texans still just can't seem to get over the hump in this division, no matter what the issues are.

It was certainly a tale of two halves, but the Colts did enough in the second half to salvage the tough victory. I still think they are running the table, in light of their upcoming schedule, but they'll have to play more complete games in a few of those (like when they play at San Diego).