HOUSTON —The Indianapolis Colts (2-6) get back to the grind today, hoping to earn both their first road win and their first victory in AFC South Division play.
Standing in their way are the Houston Texans (3-4), their Week 9 opponent at NRG Stadium.
So, without further ado, here are some major plays as they happened each quarter in the game itself:**
FIRST QUARTER
8:33:** After the Colts' defense limited the Texans' offense to just one first down on their opening drive, the Indy offense goes to work. With the offensive line providing Jacoby Brissett plenty of time to throw, he was able to carve 'em up on the Colts' opening drive, which went 92 yards in seven plays and ended with a 45-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton, who had beaten Johnathan Joseph deep down the center of the field. Brissett on the drive: 4-of-4 passing for 88 yards and a score. It's the second time this season the Colts have opened up a game with a touchdown, the other being the Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals.0:00:
At the end of the first quarter, the Colts lead the Texans, 7-0.**
SECOND QUARTER** 13:03: After a penalty-heavy drive — yellow flags were a flying against both teams — the Texans send out kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn to attempt a 39-yard field goal attempt. Fairbairn, who was 11-of-11 on field goals entering the game, pushed the kick wide left, and the Colts' seven-point lead stays in-tact. The key now is for Brissett and Co. to take advantage, as they have fallen flat in their two drives since their impressive opening possession.4:37:
Adam Vinatieri, who moved into second place on the NFL's all-time scoring list with his extra point earlier in the game, connects on a chip shot from 22 yards out, and the Colts extend their lead to 10-0. It was a 10-play, 51-yard drive for the Indy offense, but the Colts simply stalled when they got inside the Houston six-yard line, as Marlon Mack had a two-yard run, and then Brissett couldn't connect on two passing attempts, forcing the field goal attempt.3:23:
Colts outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard blows by left tackle Chris Clark and gets the strip sack on quarterback Tom Savage, but it's picked up by a Texans offensive lineman. On the very next play, Margus Hunt blows up the Houston interior offensive line to force an incomplete pass and, eventually a punt. The Indy defensive front has been buzzing all afternoon — and the back end has been covering well — but, late in the first half, these are the types of plays you need to preserve the lead and the momentum.
0:56:So much for the momentum. Texans safety Eddie Pleasant rocks Brissett on his blindside, sending the ball backwards and right into the hands of outside linebacker Lamarr Houston, who runs 34 yards to the end zone for the defensive touchdown, cutting Indy's lead to 10-7. It was a prime opportunity for the Colts' offense to really put the pressure on, getting the ball with 1:52 left in the second quarter; instead, they allow another defensive touchdown — their sixth (four pick-sixes, two fumble returns) of the season.0:00:
At halftime, the Colts lead the Texans, 10-7.
**THIRD QUARTER
1:56: **Shades of Marvin Harrison here in Houston. On 3rd and 9 from the Indianapolis 20, Brissett finds Hilton down the left sideline for the first down. Hilton gets good extra yardage, and then dives back towards the field of play around the Houston 35-yard line. But cornerback Kareem Jackson whiffs on touching Hilton — the replay showed he just missed touching Hilton's knee as the receiver dove — and The Ghost gets up and jogs into the end zone from there to complete the 80-yard scoring play. Hilton, who had five catches for 51 yards in his previous three games combined, now has five catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns alone today. Oh, and Brissett has his second straight two-touchdown performance — he's up to 16-of-24 passing for 277 yards.
0:00:At the end of the third quarter, the Colts lead the Texans, 17-7.
FOURTH QUARTER
9:17:Any points at this point help for the Colts, as Vinatieri is nails from 53 yards out to get their lead to 20-7. Seven-play, 60-yard drive there for the Indy offense.
6:11:Houston answers right back, going 75 yards in just six plays and finding the end zone with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Savage to Hopkins. Remember: the Colts have led at halftime in seven of nine games this season; they have wins in just two of those opportunities. Lots of ballgame left here for Indy to either close this thing out and head home with a divisional road win, or add another chapter to its second-half issues.
0:00:Sheard saves the day. On 4th and Goal from the Indy 7-yard line, Houston had one final chance to punch it in and win it. But Sheard busted through and stripped Savage for his second sack of the day — and his second forced fumble — and the Colts (3-6) escape Houston with the 20-14 win, their first on the road and in AFC South Division play this year.
Photos from the week 9 game at NRG Stadium against the Houston Texans